RHS Vice Presidents

Celebrate the RHS Vice Presidents whose dedication helps shape the success of the RHS and support its ongoing charitable mission

RHS Vice Presidents are trusted advocates who help promote the charity’s aims and extend its reach. Appointed by the RHS Council, Vice Presidents are individuals who have demonstrated:

Distinguished service to the RHS
The capacity to make a significant contribution to the achievement of RHS aims and objectives
The ability to promote and act as ambassadors for the RHS

Through their networks, influence, and deep understanding of horticulture and the charity’s work, Vice Presidents help raise the profile of the RHS and support its continued success.

Current RHS Vice Presidents

Meet the supporters championing the work of the RHS:

Lady Xa Tollemache | First appointed in 2024

Xa is a distinguished garden designer whose work spans the UK and beyond. She transformed parts of Helmingham Hall’s gardens and earned RHS Chelsea Flower Show medals. A member of the RHS Herbaceous Plant Expert Group and former RHS Council Member, she now advises on projects as RHS Vice President. Her horticultural expertise and creative vision continue to shape contemporary garden design.

Sarah Eberle | First appointed in 2023

Sarah is one of the UK’s most decorated garden designers, with over 20 RHS Gold medals across all show categories. A Chartered Landscape Architect and a Fellow of the Landscape Institute and the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers since 1980, she is known for her innovative and sustainable designs. An RHS Associate of Honour, former RHS Council Member and RHS Vice President, she was named an RHS Iconic Horticultural Hero in 2022, reflecting her lasting impact on the profession.

Mark Porter | First appointed in 2023

Mark is a passionate horticulturist and RHS Vice President, known for his leadership in the National Garden Scheme. He chairs the Federation of Regions and Nations for Britain in Bloom and lectures on winter gardens and winemaking. With a background in IT, he brings strategic insight to his roles and opens his garden and vineyard to the public, championing community engagement and garden achievement.

Jon Wheatley, VMH | First appointed in 2023

Jon is a former RHS Wisley student, an award-winning horticulturist, and founder of Stonebarn Landscapes. With over 20 RHS Gold medals, he is widely recognised for his contributions to horticulture and education. A recipient of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour, and an RHS Vice President and Associate of Honour, he chairs RHS South West in Bloom and judges RHS Shows, mentoring future generations and promoting excellence in garden design.

James Alexander-Sinclair | First appointed in 2021

James is a leading garden designer, writer, and broadcaster. His work spans the UK and abroad, and he is a Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers. A former RHS Council Member and current RHS Vice President, he received the RHS Veitch Memorial Medal in 2022. As RHS Ambassador for garden design, he champions creativity and accessibility in horticulture.

Mark Fane | First appointed in 2020

Mark is a leading figure in garden construction and heritage landscape restoration. As co-founder of Crocus Garden Plants, he has delivered award-winning gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and collaborated with top designers for over 25 years. His commitment to horticultural excellence and innovation has helped shape public garden spaces across the UK. As an RHS Vice President, he supports the charity’s mission to inspire gardening for all.

Rosy Hardy | First appointed in 2020

Rosy is a celebrated nurserywoman and founder of Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants. With over 24 RHS Chelsea Gold medals, she is renowned for her expertise in herbaceous perennials and sustainable planting. Her approachable style and deep plant knowledge have made her a favourite among gardeners and designers alike. As RHS Vice President, she champions plant diversity and education.

Sandy Muirhead | First appointed in 2020

Sandy has been involved with the RHS for many years, serving as RHS Treasurer and RHS Council Member. He first joined the RHS Herbaceous Plant Expert Group in 1997 and became an RHS Council Member in 2007. With a professional background in accountancy, corporate finance, and investment, he brings expertise in governance and strategy. As RHS Vice President, he supports the charity’s long-term development.

Rosie Atkins | First appointed in 2019

Rosie is founder of Gardens Illustrated and former Curator of Chelsea Physic Garden, shaping public understanding of horticulture. An RHS Vice President and recipient of the RHS Elizabeth Medal of Honour, she has served with the Linnean Society, London Gardens Network, RHS Woody Expert Group, and Great Dixter Charitable Trust, advancing horticultural knowledge and garden preservation. She is also Vice President of the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association and member of the Professional Gardeners’ Guild.

Baroness Floella Benjamin | First appointed in 2019

Floella is a celebrated broadcaster, author, and children’s welfare advocate. Her RHS Chelsea Flower Show Windrush Garden won an RHS Gold medal, reflecting her commitment to cultural storytelling through horticulture. As RHS Vice President and RHS Ambassador, she champions gardening for young people and communities. A life peer and former Chancellor of the University of Exeter, she continues to inspire across generations.

Dougal Philip | First appointed in 2018

Dougal is co-founder of New Hopetoun Gardens and a garden centre operator with 45 years’ experience, specialising in garden plants. A garden designer and RHS Show Gardens judge for 25 years, he has also overseen Trade Stand assessments. As a former Chair of the RHS Shows Advisory Committee and RHS Council Member, and now an RHS Vice President, Dougal champions the promotion of gardening and plants to a wider public.

Prunella Scarlett, LVO | First appointed in 2017

Prunella is a respected horticulturist and former RHS Council Member, awarded the Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order for her service. She has chaired Britain in Bloom, chaired and judged the RHS Herbaceous Plant Expert Group, and served on several other RHS committees. As an RHS Vice President, she supports the charity’s work in gardening education and public engagement, sharing her expertise widely to inspire interest in gardening across all ages and environments.

Tom Stuart-Smith | First appointed in 2017

Tom is an acclaimed landscape architect whose designs blend naturalism with architectural clarity. He has created award-winning gardens for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and public spaces worldwide. A Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers and RHS Vice President, he promotes sustainable design and horticultural innovation. His work continues to influence contemporary garden aesthetics and ecological awareness.

Jim Gardiner, VMH | First appointed in 2016

Jim is a distinguished plantsman and Vice President of the RHS. A former RHS Director of Horticulture and Curator of Wisley, and past President of the Magnolia Society International, he has worked at leading gardens including Edinburgh and Hillier and has written widely on horticulture. He serves on the RHS Woody Expert Group and the RHS Awards Committee and is a Trustee of The Tree Register. He holds the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour for his outstanding contributions to horticulture.

Jekka McVicar, VMH | First appointed in 2016

Jekka is an authority on herbs and founder of Jekka’s Herb Farm. With over 60 RHS Gold medals, she has transformed public understanding of culinary and medicinal herbs. A recipient of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour, the Prince Edward Award for Excellence in Horticulture, and an RHS Vice President, she shares her expertise through her books, teaching, and masterclasses, and advises on sustainable growing. Her advocacy for organic and environmentally friendly practices continues to shape modern herb gardening.

Dr Henry Oakeley, VMH | First appointed in 2015

Henry is a Vice President of the RHS and a recipient of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour. A Garden Fellow at the Royal College of Physicians’ Medicinal Garden, he is an authority on the historical and medicinal uses of plants. A past Chairman of the RHS Orchid Committee, he has grown orchids for nearly 70 years and written widely on their cultivation and taxonomy. An internationally recognised specialist in the Latin American orchids Anguloa, Lycaste, and Ida, he has received seven RHS Gold Medals and five Holford Medals.

Richard Webb, VMH | First appointed in 2015

Richard is a distinguished plantsman and former RHS Council Member. A Vice President of the RHS and former Chairman of Webbs Garden Centres, he was awarded the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour for his outstanding contributions to the horticultural industry. He has played a key role in shaping standards and promoting excellence in horticultural practice. His deep botanical knowledge and commitment to the charity’s values continue to guide its development.

Michael Balston | First appointed in 2013

Michael is the founder of Balston and Company and now a Consultant to Balston Agius. He trained in architecture at Cambridge before qualifying as a landscape architect. Renowned for his private gardens and writings, including The Well Furnished Garden, he is a former RHS Council Member and RHS Vice President, contributing to the development of RHS Shows and Gardens, and continues to lecture on garden design.

Robert Hillier, OBE VMH | First appointed in 2010

Robert is Vice President of the RHS and former Chairman of Hillier Nurseries. Over more than 50 years, he has helped shape the business into one of the UK’s leading growers and Garden Centre groups, while championing horticultural excellence nationwide. A recipient of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour, he continues to support the next generation in the industry.

John Ravenscroft, VMH | First appointed in 2010

John is a celebrated nurseryman and co-founder of Bridgemere Show Gardens. A recipient of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour and RHS Vice President, he is widely recognised for his outstanding contribution to British horticulture. With a career spanning more than 70 years, he has played a pivotal role in mentoring the next generation of horticulturists. His expertise and dedication continue to have a lasting impact on the horticultural community.

Alan Titchmarsh, CBE VMH DL | First appointed in 2009

Alan is a broadcaster, author and gardener whose career has brought horticulture into homes across the UK and beyond. A recipient of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour and CBE, he serves as the founding RHS Ambassador and RHS Vice President, championing gardening as a career. Through his enduring presence in media and public life, he has inspired generations to discover the joys of gardening.

Michael Heseltine, The Rt Hon the Lord Heseltine | First appointed in 2009

Michael is passionate gardener and former political figure. His restoration of Thenford Arboretum showcases his commitment to horticulture and conservation. As an RHS Vice President, he advocates for green spaces and their role in public wellbeing. His contributions to politics and gardening reflect a lifelong dedication to cultural and environmental enrichment.

The Vicomte Philippe de Spoelberch | First appointed in 2008

Philippe is a Belgian dendrologist and businessman. He serves as president of the International Dendrology Society and has received the RHS Veitch Memorial Medal. He donated his Arboretum Wespelaar to the Foundation Arboretum Wespelaar, which is recognised for its rare species and collections. As a Vice President of the RHS, he supports the charity’s work in horticulture.

Raymond Evison, CBE VMH F.I.Hort | First appointed in 2005

Raymond is a world-leading clematis breeder and nurseryman. Founder and Chairman of The Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd and Raymond J.Evison Ltd, he has riased more than 200 cultivars and won 35 RHS Chelsea Gold medals. A passionate educator and conservationist, he is RHS Vice President and leads botanical initiatives in Guernsey and China. His honours include the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour and a CBE for services to horticulture and Guernsey.

Roy Lancaster, CBE VMH F.I.Hort | First appointed in 2005

Roy is a well-known plantsman, broadcaster and author whose global plant explorations and engaging storytelling have inspired generations of gardeners. A recipient of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour and CBE, he serves as Vice President of the RHS and has contributed extensively to numerous RHS groups. His enduring passion for both plants and people continues to be at the heart of his work.

Chris Brickell, CBE VMH | First appointed in 1993

Chris is a renowned botanist and horticulturist and a former Director General of the RHS. His career spans taxonomy, plant conservation and garden management. A Vice President of the RHS and recipient of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour and CBE, he has led international horticultural bodies and authored key reference works, including RHS Encyclopedias. His legacy includes founding Plant Heritage and shaping plant nomenclature standards worldwide.

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.