In memorium: Les Chandler

The Association is sad to learn of the passing of Les Chandler. Les was National Chair of BALI 1985-86, at a time when a revised, more stringent vetting process was introduced, the first BALI newsletter was launched and BALI was attending the National Garden Festival in Stoke.

Les was originally from Sutton in Surrey and began his career working as a Quantity Surveyor for Bovis, later moving to Harrogate, Yorkshire where he continued his working life at Ogden Group Civil Engineering.

In 1978 he became Managing Director of Blakedown Landscapes when the company was a subsidiary of Blakedown Nurseries Group. He then led a successful management buyout of Blakedown Landscapes Ltd, opening regional offices in South Wales and Bradford and then London. From then until he retired in 2002, he was integral in growing the company ten-fold and shaping its diversification into commercial landscaping, sports pitch construction and civil engineering.

In 2004 Les returned to Blakedown to take on the role of Chairman finally retiring in 2017.

Steve Buckingham, Managing Director of Blakedown said,

"Les was both a colleague and a very dear friend and it was he who first recruited me to Blakedown in 1984, 40 years ago. He was a true professional in every sense, known for his strong opinions and outspoken nature, but beneath that a man of great integrity and fairness. As a family man, he was devoted and loving, always putting his loved ones first. His legacy will live on in the lives he touched and the work he accomplished.  He will be sorely missed."