Speakers announced for SoilsCon 2026

To book online visit www.toha.co.uk or email soilscon@toha.co.uk

Date: Thursday, 1st October, 2026

Time: 9.00 to 16.30

Location: Phyllis Court, Henley on Thames, Oxon RG9 2HT

Cost: £110 + VAT (LI/BALI/SGLD members) or £150 + VAT (non-members)

Organised by leading soil science and landscape engineering consultants Tim O’Hare Associates LLP, the conference will focus on practical approaches and solutions to the key soil issues and challenges faced by landscape architects, landscape contractors and designers, housing developers, local authorities, soil suppliers, ecologists, and other industry professionals.

Using case studies to evidence their presentations, this year’s speaker line-up of leading industry experts will cover:

• the circular economy, as illustrated by The Queen Elizabeth II Garden in The Regent’s Park,
• greenfield soil management and re-use of surplus topsoil,
• green roof design and substrates,
• Agricultural Land Classification,
• SuDS,
• landscape construction and urban tree planting, and
• amenity turfgrass management.

The speakers at SoilsCon 2026 are

Tim O’Hare - Principal Consultant, Tim O’Hare Associates

A soil scientist for 31 years, Tim has covered domestic garden projects to major infrastructure developments, both in the UK and overseas. He has sat on the British Standards Institute working group for Topsoil (BS3882) and Subsoil (BS8601) since 2005 and was co-author of DEFRA’s Code of Practice for the Sustainable Use and Management of Soils on Construction Sites (published 2009). Tim pioneered the design and use of manufactured soils in landscape projects, including those of the London Olympics, and has developed many of the bespoke soil products in use today. He has written and presented numerous papers and articles on topsoil quality, soil specification, tree pit design, topsoil manufacture and soil. In 2019, Tim was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by The Kew Guild in recognition of his “expertise and outstanding contribution to the environment”.

Kevin Barton - Director, Robert Bray Associates

Kevin is an award-winning landscape architect who specialises in landscape-led, nature-based SuDS. He delivers leading national SuDS training and has co-authored a number of SuDS guidance documents for LPA’s and water companies. His integrated approach to rainwater management balances the functional hydraulic requirements of SuDS with the art of designing dynamic landscapes that benefit communities and wildlife, challenging the urban fabric to work much harder to tackle the issues of climate and biodiversity emergencies.

Gill Shaw - Senior Soil Scientist, Tim O’Hare Associates

Gill is a Chartered Scientist with over 37 years’ experience in land quality and soil assessment, both with Government and consultancy. She is a recognised national authority on Agricultural Land Classification (ALC), land evaluation, soil protection and restoration within the planning system. She has extensive field soil survey and land evaluation experience, including soil management and restoration plans and evaluation of EIA statements and minerals aftercare plans. Gill is also an established trainer for ALC with classroom, in-field and online experience. She has been involved in the writing and provision of numerous technical guidance. 

Alistair Bayford – Managing Director, Frosts Landscapes

Alistair Bayford is managing director of one of the UK's leading specialist landscape contractors and majority employee-owned business delivering complex commercial and public realm projects.  A Chartered Landscape Architect with more than 25 years' experience, throughout his career he has worked at the interface of design, construction, and long-term stewardship, helping to deliver some of the UK's most significant public realm, urban landscape, rooftop, and podium projects. He believes in creating landscapes that realise design ambition whilst remaining practical to build, are climate resilient and capable of thriving long after project completion. His interests include soil as the foundation of successful landscapes, urban tree establishment, sustainable construction and strengthening collaboration between clients, designers, and contractors.

Tim White - Senior Associate, Tim O’Hare Associates

Tim has worked with Tim O’Hare as a professional soil scientist since 1999 and heads up TOHA’s specialist team providing the house-building sector with technical support throughout the development process. He is routinely involved with a variety of development projects that require bulk soil movements and advises on soil management to maintain and restore the soils for re-use. He also specialises in soils for habitat creation and has co-authored with Forest Research a Best Practice Guidance (BPG) document on Soil Preparation for the Creation of Species-rich Grassland Habitats. He has also contributed to several other Best Practice Guidance documents.

Chris Bridgman - Chair of the Green Roof Organisation (UK Trade Body) and Vice President of the European Federation of Green Roof and Wall Associations

A specialist in green roof design, installation, maintenance and training, Chris’s portfolio includes constructing the largest turf roof in Europe and installing a biodiverse living roof on the world's tallest modular building. Working on projects ranging from small-scale domestic schemes and community engagement programmes to major commercial infrastructure projects, his work has been recognised with multiple UK and international awards.

Gareth Phillips - Senior Agronomist, Tim O’Hare Associates

With over 35 years of comprehensive experience in the sports turf industry, Gareth specialises in all aspects of turf management. His experience includes Head Groundsman roles, practical experience at top-tier sporting events such as The Golf Open Championship, Football League, European Rugby Cup Finals and club rugby, and as a senior lecturer and trainer in sports turf management.

Tim O’Hare Associates’ popular Soil Surgery will be held during the breaks. A number of leading landscape industry soil and landscape supply companies - Bury Hill Landscape Supplies, Green-tech, Bourne Amenity, The Woodhorn Group, MCM and Boughton Loam - will be supporting the conference and exhibiting their products.

Lunch and all refreshments throughout the day are included in the delegate rate of £110+ VAT per person (LI, BALI, SGLD members) or £150 + VAT (non-members).

Travel links to Phyllis Court, either by road (M40, M4) or rail, are excellent, with collection from Henley railway station available on the day.

To book, visit www.toha.co.uk or email soilscon@toha.co.uk.