Chris Cole Email & Phone Number

Pennsylvania, United States

A contemporary, authentic leader in horticulture and public and botanic gardens management with a life-long passion for plants and beautiful gardens. Thirty-five years' experience in horticulture encompassing world-renowned botanic gardens, historic royal palaces, government and private sector. Twenty-five years in leadership roles in UK, Australian and USA horticulture industry with a status for being visionary and innovative. Reputation for setting clear strategy, direction and expectation with an exemplary drive for progress and action. Excellent communicator, relationship builder and collaborator across all levels.

Melbourne, Australia

• Lead and direct management and development to showcase 38-hectare, 177-year-old Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne to 2 million visitors per annum.• Deliver world-class horticulture, arboriculture, landscape architecture, infrastructure and facilities, applied science, sustainability, programming and audience development, OH&S, risk management and capital projects.• Responsible for public programs including customer service, volunteers, education, and visitor programs from 2010 to 2016 and 2022 to current.• Inspire and empower 75 full-time employees including 7 direct reports to advance vision and mission of organisation and deliver outstanding landscape presentation and programs.• Manage $8m financial resources including salaries, operational, capital and project budgets and actively seek new funding sources.• Provide authoritative advice to CEO, Gardens Board and senior partners in both public and private sectors and act as respected ambassador for broader organisation with outward focus on public engagement.• Set future direction of Melbourne Gardens with development and implementation of contemporary and ambitious 20-year Master Plan.• Create 20-year Landscape Succession Strategy to adapt world-renowned Melbourne Gardens to projected climate of 2090. Strategy is world first in botanic gardens.

Townsville, Australia

• Managed arboricultural, botanic gardens and wholesale nursery assets within the city• Increased turnover ($1.5m) and profitability of Council’s Wholesale Nursery Business unit• Managed operational budget in excess of $5m• Managed 50 employees including 4 direct reports

Townsville, Australia

• Managed the planning, design, construction works and maintenance of three botanic gardens covering 46 hectares• Delivered capital works programs in accordance with the Master Plan• Managed botanic gardens financial budget in excess of $2m• Managed 15 employees and trainees

Surrey, Uk

PrimaFlora Design & Build is a bespoke Landscape Design and construction company based in south-west London. Employing up to 20 staff, the company focused on the high-end residential market.• Established the Garden Maintenance and Development Department as a market leader• Profitable delivery of major landscaping projects and maintenance contracts• Management of landscape projects up to $250,000• Contract documentation, specification formulation, costing, tendering and negotiation

Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, Uk

Historic Royal Palaces manages significant royal palaces and establishments in the London region including the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace. • Maintained and develop 5 hectares of prestigious historic gardens to exemplary standards• Supervise, mentor and up-skill 10 full-time staff• Maintained and respected the fabric of the Palace and associated assets• Significantly raised horticultural standards and presentation of gardens in responsible area

Kew Diploma, Horticulture, Honours

The Kew Diploma is the world's foremost qualification in botanical horticulture.

Higher National Diploma In Landscape And Amenity Management, Horticulture, Distinction