The Landscape Institute elections are underway, with candidates up for election into roles on the Council and Board of Trustees.

There has never been a more important time to get involved and make a difference at the LI and within the wider profession, to benefit people, place and nature. The elections are an opportunity to play a part in shaping the future direction and inspire the next generation.

This year LI members will cast their votes to fill the following positions on the Institute’s Board and Council:

• President Elect
• Vice-President
• 7 Ordinary (Chartered) Council Members

The following candidates are running for election. The collected videos are available to view here.

President Elect

• Saira Ali FLI Candidate Statement | Video
• Paj Valley FLI Candidate Statement | Video

Vice-President

• Wing Lai FLI Candidate Statement | Video
• Mike Spence CMLI Candidate Statement | Video
• Ruth Lin Wong Holmes FLI Candidate Statement | Video

Council Ordinary/Chartered Member

• Dilip Lakhani CMLI Candidate Statement
• Akash Wadhawan CMLI Candidate Statement
• Nicola Phillips CMLI Candidate Statement
• Allison Walters CMLI Candidate Statement
• Adam Barker FLI Candidate Statement
• Kathryn Ward CMLI Candidate Statement
• Daniel Smith FLI Candidate Statement
• Robert Sewell CMLI Candidate Statement
• Clare Brockhurst FLI Candidate Statement

The following positions have been filled uncontested:

• Honorary Secretary – Mark Smeeden CMLI Candidate Statement
• Honorary Treasurer – Matthew Bradbury FLI Candidate Statement
• Non-Chartered Trustee – Tamanna Parwani Candidate Statement

We received no nominations for the positions of Associate Representative, or Student Representative. The newly elected Council will consider how to fill these posts.

Voting opens 20 May 2025.  All corporate members will receive an email directing them to the LI elections voting site where they can access candidate statements, videos, and links to vote for the positions they are eligible to elect.

All successful candidates will take up their roles on 01 July 2025 for a term of 2 years except the President Elect who will serve as: President Elect 2025-26, President 2026-28, Immediate Past President 2028-29

How candidates applied for the 2025 elections

Applications are now closed.

All candidates were required to complete an online application form that included:

1. A 250-word candidate statement answering the two questions as outlined in the relevant application form. These statements are now available to members to view online.
2. Details of at least 3 nominators.

Nominator requirements

These were the requirements for anyone wanting to be a nominator:

• Officer position: Nominator must be a Chartered member of the LI
• Ordinary position on Council: Nominator must be a Corporate member of the LI.
• Associate position on Council: Nominator must be an Associate member of the LI.
• Student position on Council: Nominator must be a Student member of the LI.
• Non-Chartered trustee position: Nominator must be a Corporate member of the LI

Example application forms

• For Officer roles
• For Ordinary Member of Council
• For non-chartered Trustee

From climate action, to nature recovery, to public health and wellbeing, the diverse skills and expertise of landscape professionals are essential for driving positive change and championing landscape solutions to the biggest challenges facing society today. 

Your voice matters. The elections are an opportunity to bring in new and diverse leaders from across our dynamic profession to share their experience and knowledge to inspire people and progress across the landscape sector and beyond.  

Members are at the heart of our decision making and our New Ways of Working, which fosters a culture of collaboration and consultation between all those who shape our organisation and the landscape profession, including members, volunteers, Board, and staff.  

Diversity and inclusion at all levels enables better communication and engagement between everyone.

Elections 2025 timeline  

• 26 March: Applications open. Details including online form will be emailed to all eligible members
• 29 April: Applications close.
• 29 April-19 May: Due diligence checks on all candidate applications.
• 01 May: Complaints deadline (nominations process)
• 14 May: Candidates announced
• 20 May: Voting opens. An invitation to vote will be sent to all eligible members.
• 10 June: Voting closes.
• 12 June: Complaints deadline (elections process)
• 01 July: Start date for all elected candidates.

Roles and eligibility 

Candidates are running for the following roles.