Monday 30 June 2025
Kev Garfield of leading vegetation management and landscaping firm VMS Ltd is helping to showcase careers in arboriculture by becoming Moulton College’s first business ambassador. The partnership will see VMS sponsor college events and work with students as part of the company’s aims to bridge skills gaps in the region, with both Kev and his firm long term supporters of the College and its arboriculture students.
VMS Ltd, which is based in Wellingborough, specialises in vegetation clearance, landscaping, tree surveys, and other arboriculture services across rail, water, commercial, and ecological sectors. Kev Garfield, Head of Business Support at VMS, was presented with the ambassadorial accolade during Moulton College’s annual Student Awards, which took place last week.
The event, which saw 27 students praised for their outstanding achievements and contribution to College life, was led by Principal & CEO, Oliver Symons. VMS’s Kev Garfield and HM Lord Lieutenant for Northamptonshire, James Sanders Watson, gave speeches to students, parents and carers, and other stakeholders during the evening.
It’s a great honour to be announced as the College’s first Ambassador. I’m really looking forward to building a relationship with Moulton College that will enable us to inspire the next generation and plug the skills gap, which is currently predicted to see workforce growth in arboriculture go down 1.6% by 2028.
“It was also a privilege to be a guest speaker on the night, where I shared my own career experiences at VMS while being open about my dyslexic journey which started at school,” said Kev.
Phil Wells, Head of Land-based Studies at Moulton College, says of the VMS partnership: “We are lucky to work with a large number of employers who bring invaluable insight and sector knowledge to enrich our curriculum delivery and student experience.
Our work with Kev has however been at another level. The commitment he and VMS have shown to supporting our current and future students and promoting career opportunities in the land-based sector has been incredible. We look forward to building on this in the coming months, inspiring more young people with Kev now recognised as our first Moulton College Ambassador.
Find out more about Moulton College's employer engagement programme and how you could help shape your future workforce.
Kev Garfield speaking about his own skills journey at the Student Awards 2025
