Fiona Slight becomes new Curator of RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Fiona Slight has been appointed as Curator at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate, taking over the prestigious role from Paul Cook, who leaves the position after 12 years
Fiona’s horticultural career started in 1989 as a 17-year-old trainee with the National Trust for Scotland at Belhaven House Garden in Dunbar. After completing training on the Isle of Arran at Brodick Castle, her Diploma and HNC in Horticulture, and a year training at RHS Garden Wisley, she went on to work at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh as a gardener in the Herbaceous and Rock Department.
Having spent a few years in New Zealand working as a propagator, Fiona returned to the UK, working at a nursery in York, Johnsons of Whixley, before teaching horticulture at Askham Bryan College in York. Before working at RHS Harlow Carr, Fiona spent several years as a Kitchen Gardener at Mount St John Garden in Thirsk and then Rudding Park Hotel, before becoming Head Gardener at the latter. She started her new role as Curator at RHS Harlow Carr in September 2025.
On being appointed Curator, Fiona said, “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to take on the role of Curator at RHS Garden Harlow Carr. Horticulture has been a lifelong passion and it is an honour to work for the RHS and at Harlow Carr to carry on the great work that Paul Cook and the previous Curators have achieved over the last 75 years.”
The restored Harrogate Arms Café at RHS Harlow Carr
Head of RHS Garden Harlow Carr Liz Thwaite said: “Fiona’s passion for horticulture and vision for RHS Garden Harlow Carr left us in no doubt she is the best person to take on the role. Paul will be missed by all and leaves an impressive legacy. We wish him all the very best and are delighted Paul is handing over the mantle to Fiona, with whom he has worked for nearly three years and who herself has had a remarkable career and shares his bold vision for our beloved Yorkshire garden.”
