Pavel Votapek (from 2016)
Pavel joined Eccleston Square Garden in 2016. He holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Conservation from the University of Greenwich, and has done extensive work in ecology, forestry and as an environmental consultant – in England, Scotland, Australia and India. From 2013 he has worked in London at various outdoor grounds, landscapes and private gardens before moving into private contracting, with a specialism in horticultural services with nature conservation and biodiversity enhancements. Pavel holds numerous qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and the Field Studies Council.
Since his arrival, Eccleston Square Garden has won a number of awards, including 1st Prize Large Private Garden Square in the London Garden Squares Competition.
Pavel worked closely in a warm partnership with Roger over the years and the Directors are confident that he will continue enriching Roger’s legacy.
Neville Capil (2004 - 2016)
Neville Capil started out as a farmer and forestry worker in southern New Zealand and came to England in 2000, initially working on a strawberry farm where he learnt planting, propagating and pruning of strawberries and raspberries. His venturing far from home proved to be a blessing for our garden square: during his long tenure with Eccleston Square the garden won a number of awards, including Best Garden Square and 1st Prize Large Private Garden Square in the London Garden Squares Competition. Neville and his family returned to live in New Zealand in September 2016 before deciding to return to the UK again in 2019.
Kathryn Maule (1998 - 2004)
Kathryn succeeded Arthur in 1999, after she had met both him and Roger through a mutual gardening friend, having previously worked as a foreperson at the Master Gardeners Company. Kathryn stayed at Eccleston Square until 2004 and then left to work for herself and a number of garden companies.
Arthur Heppel (1983 - 1998)
Arthur Heppel was the first, full-time gardener brought on by Roger to work in Eccleston Square Garden. Following his role at Eccleston Square, Arthur moved to Hampshire to look after the gardens at Bramdean Manor. As well as an excellent gardener, Arthur was a skilled bricklayer and did the brick work on the raised patio, which replaced the tumbledown gardener’s shed that had previously been sited there.