Stuart Phillips is a second generation gardener and got his first gardening job at Stapeley Water Gardens in 1974. After leaving school in 1977 he went to teacher training college but left after the first year to return to gardening.

Having worked for two years in the grounds of an agricultural college he completed a National Certificate in Horticulture course and then went to take up a post at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. There he completed his Diploma in Horticulture and certificate in supervisory studies. With these qualifications he returned to Reaseheath College in Cheshire to become a Lecturer in Amenity Horticulture specialising in landscaping.

In 1993 he moved to Northampton to undertake a similar role at Moulton College.
In addition to his lecturing work Stuart has been a regular contributor to BBC Radio Northampton's Gardening and Leisure programme.

He is a now a partner in OnSite UK, a company specializing in horticultural training, assessing and consultancy.

For several years he has acted as a judge for various flower and garden shows including: Moulton in Bloom, Paulespury Flower Show, Moulton Flower Show and Uppington Garden Show.

A popular speaker, Stuart will undertake many speaking engagements each year. Most of these will be for gardening societies and the Women's Institute but he also to be found in the Gardener's Academy marquee at Milton Keynes Show, Wrest Park Show, Woburn Show.

As well as giving talks Stuart has been happy to appear on the panel for question sessions for BBC Radio Northampton and BBC Gardeners World Road Show. He has also contributed to other question session panels for various societies and organisations.

Horticulturally he would still describe himself as an amenity horticulturist but would recognise that, having a broad background, he is something of an all-rounder.

Stuart is a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and a member of the Garden Writers Guild. Among the various publications he contributed to is an on-line magazine at www.therake.co.uk.