On 1 September 2026, Beechwood Trees and Landscapes reaches 28 years in business.

Twenty-eight years is a significant milestone for any business. For Beechwood, it represents almost three decades of changing markets, new challenges, growing capabilities and, perhaps most importantly, people who have developed alongside the business.

The Beechwood of today looks very different from the business that started 28 years ago. What began as a much smaller operation has developed into a business with a wider range of services, a larger team, more equipment and contracts across different locations.

But perhaps one of the best ways to understand that journey is through the people who have experienced it first-hand.

From Two Vans to a Whole Fleet

Baz, Contract Manager, has been part of Beechwood for 21 years.

When Baz joined the business, the scale of Beechwood was very different.

“The business has grown significantly in both size and capability. We have increased our workload and revenue since I started when we had two vans, a three-man team and one chipper.”

That comparison gives a real sense of how far the business has come.

Over the last 21 years, Baz has seen Beechwood grow in both its workload and capability, while developing his own career and experience alongside it.

When asked what stands out most from his time at Beechwood, he said:

“When I think about my 21 years here, what stands out most is how much the business and my own career have changed and grown. I’ve gained a huge amount of experience, learned from many different jobs and worked with some great people along the way.”

For Baz, the work itself has remained rewarding despite the changes around it.

“Being an arborist will always be hard work but really rewarding.”

From Three Vans to a Whole Fleet

Luke has been with Beechwood for around 18–19 years, giving him another long-term perspective on the company's development.

For Luke, one of the biggest changes has been the scale of the workload.

“The biggest change for me has been the workload. It’s been gradual, of course, but going from three vans to a whole fleet, with contracts all over the place (country), has been a huge change.”

That growth has also changed the level of security within the business.

Luke reflects on the difference between the business when he first joined and where it is today, describing the change from a time when there was very little security to having a workload that helps ensure everyone can keep working.

But while the scale of the business has changed, Luke says the nature of the work itself has not.

“The requirement to get the job done. Tree work isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s dangerous, hard, and comes with seasonal challenges. But it’s also fun, exciting and incredibly rewarding.”

That combination of challenge and reward has remained a constant throughout his time at Beechwood.

Growing Alongside the Business

The 28-year story isn't just about Beechwood growing as a company. It is also about the people within the business developing their own careers.

Luke, Simon and Mark photographed together

Luke reflects particularly strongly on this.

“Upon reflection, what stands out most is the wonderful life I’ve had on the back of the company I joined 18–19 years ago.”

His time with Beechwood has included challenges, but also plenty of positive experiences.

He describes his years with the business as being filled with laughter and, as his responsibilities increased, a real drive to succeed.

That growing responsibility became particularly important when Luke progressed into a Team Leader role.

“Some of my best memories are from when I became a Team Leader and the years that followed. I understood the assignment and did everything I could to be successful.”

That period of responsibility compounded over seven years and ultimately contributed to his success both in and out of work.

When asked about a favourite or noteworthy story from his time at Beechwood, Luke couldn't choose just one.

Instead, he remembers the people he worked alongside.

“I can say that my best days on the tools were spent with great guys who got the job done while having a good laugh along the way.”

28 Years of Change

Looking back over 28 years, the development of Beechwood can be seen not just through its size, but through the changing nature of the business itself.

The equipment, services, workload and types of contracts have developed over time. The industry has changed too, bringing new expectations around safety, training, environmental management and the way projects are delivered.

Beechwood has had to adapt alongside those changes.

What started with two vans, a three-man team and one chipper has developed into a business with a much broader range of capabilities.

But growth isn't simply about having more equipment or taking on more work. It is also about building the people, experience and capability needed to support that growth.

Looking Ahead

After 28 years, reaching the next milestone is about more than simply continuing to grow. For Managing Director Simon Rotheram, it is about maintaining the things that have made Beechwood successful while continuing to improve.

“I’m incredibly proud of reaching 28 years, but more than anything I’m proud that I still genuinely love what I do. I still get a buzz from overcoming challenges, finding better ways of doing things and coming into work not quite knowing what the day will bring.”

For Simon, the people behind the business are a key part of that.

“We’ve got a great team and a really positive culture, and that makes a huge difference. I work closely with a management team, many of whom have been with us for years, and there is always a real willingness to support each other when things get busy.”

As Beechwood approaches three decades in business, continuing to develop without losing that culture will be an important part of the next stage.

“We need to keep improving without losing what makes Beechwood a good place to work and a good company to work with.”

That means continuing to look after customers, maintaining high standards and developing the people within the business.

“The business is only as strong as the team behind it, so giving people the opportunity to grow and take more responsibility will be key to our future success.”

For the years ahead, Simon's focus isn't simply on making Beechwood bigger.

“For me, the next few years are about refining what we do rather than simply getting bigger.”

The aim is to become more efficient, strengthen the areas the business already does well and continue developing its people and future leaders.

“If we can reach 30 years as a stronger, better-run business, with a great team and culture still at the heart of it, I’ll be very proud of what we’ve achieved.”

28 Years, and Counting

Twenty-eight years of Beechwood is a story of growth, but it is also a story of people.

From the early days of two vans, a three-man team and one chipper to the business operating today, the journey has been shaped by the people who have built their careers alongside it.

Baz's 21 years and Luke's 18–19 years are two examples of that journey. Their experiences show how much can change over nearly three decades, while also highlighting the things that remain at the heart of the work: hard work, responsibility, camaraderie and the satisfaction of getting the job done.

For Simon, the next stage isn't simply about becoming bigger. It is about becoming stronger, more efficient and continuing to develop the people who make the business what it is.

On 1 September 2026, Beechwood reaches 28 years in business.

It is a chance to recognise how far the business has come, the people who have helped shape it and the experience that continues to sit behind the work being delivered today.

And while 28 years is a significant milestone, the story of Beechwood is still being written.

28 Years of Beechwood: The People Behind the Progress