Curriculum Vitae
PAUL CHIAPPE
PERSONAL PROFILE & KEY COMPETENCIES
Gardener trained in Plantsmanship and with a creative background, working in private and historic estate gardens. As a former artist, I have a strong visual sense and a keen eye for detail and I bring a creative and practical approach to my garden work. I am dependable, highly motivated and get satisfaction from continued learning and completing work on time and to a high standard.
I am a team player who communicates clearly. I am committed to sustainable work practices and have an interest in both ornamental and productive gardens. I have a passion for the natural world – its diversity and ecology – and gardening offers me the opportunity to connect to it, learn about it, and help conserve it.
I have experience of using a full range of machinery and equipment, from compact tractors to commercial chippers. I am dependable, highly motivated and get satisfaction from continued learning and completing work on time and to a high standard.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Feb 2022 – present, Gardener, Winton Castle Gardens, East Lothian (part-time)
· In my first few months I took on the responsibilities of a head gardener, in preparation for an open day and the arrival of the new head gardener. Working alone, I looked after aspects of garden and estate planning, maintenance and development such as plant propagation and glasshouse and polytunnel management. Key tasks included single-handedly preparing hundreds of dahlia tubers and pruning an extensive wisteria pergola.
· I currently work as part of the garden team alongside an assistant and head gardener, where I assist with all aspects of garden and estate care and maintenance.
· Key areas include the walled garden with deep herbaceous borders, terraced gardens, and cottage gardens.
Mar 2022 – present, Gardener, Suntrap Garden, Edinburgh (part-time)
· I am one of four gardeners assisting the owners to bring the three-acre private garden back to life. The grounds include informal borders and small gardens, a large glasshouse with mature palms and other tropical plants, greenhouse, potting shed and doocot, a large pond and a sunken garden with ferns and perennials.
· Tasks cover all aspects of garden maintenance and development through to providing garden advice.
September 2021 – present, Volunteer, Dr Neil’s Garden, Edinburgh (1 day per week)
· I am part of a supportive team of volunteers who span all age groups and range from horticultural students to retirees, and include people with a range of abilities and health challenges.
· We carry out a full range of garden work, from propagation, maintenance and development, through to making Christmas wreaths and Kokedama.
April 2021 – August 2021, Trainee, The MacRobert Trust, Aberdeenshire (Summer Placement, full-time)
· I trained within the garden team on this 17 acre garden and estate, that includes an extensive productive walled garden, cut flower garden, terraced garden, 2 acre infinity lawn, and herbaceous borders and beds.
· I carried out a full range of ornamental and productive horticultural work to a high standard, from fine lawn care and glasshouse maintenance and care, to creating weekly cut flower displays for the on-site hotel.
· I interacted professionally on a daily basis with other staff, hotel guests and garden visitors.
Jun 2020 – Oct 2020, Gardener, Private Garden, Sweden (full-time)
· I worked independently, carrying out a range of garden, forest and building maintenance work, planning, development and guidance.
· I encouraged and facilitated the commissioning of an ecological report and inventory of the garden and forest to assess its nature value, to enable informed decisions and responsible management.
· I assisted an experienced gardener, gaining practical knowledge, tips and experience whilst carrying out fruit tree pruning, formative pruning of a large Picea abies hedge, and the felling of dead and dangerous trees.
· I gained a Swedish Chainsaw Licence (Säker Skogs Motorsågskörkort), level A and B - gaining valuable experience and confidence working safely with chainsaws to carry out large tree feeling work.
Oct 2018 - Jun 2019, Student, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (work experience, 1 day per week)
· I gained practical work experience and training in the main divisions of the Horticulture department, helping maintain and develop the garden and plant collections under direction of supervisors, gaining insight and understanding of managing and maintaining important plant collections within a world-class organisation.
Jul 2007 – 2019, Artist – self-employed (full-time)
· I was represented by a gallery and created original and unique artworks for exhibition, sale and public commission.
· I exhibited nationally and internationally in commercial galleries and public museums, such as Tate Britain.
· I had to carefully plan and organise my time and communicate clearly while liaising directly with institutions, gallerists, curators, exhibition assistants, framers, press, collectors, and the general public.
Jun 2017 - Jul 2017, Volunteer, Cambo Walled Garden, Fife (full-time work experience)
Nov 2016 - May 2017, Volunteer, The Ecology Centre, Fife (1 to 2 days per week)
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING / OTHER
2018 - 2020 HND in Horticulture with Plantsmanship, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) (A)
RBGE Diploma in Horticulture with Plantsmanship, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Distinction)
2005 - 2007 Master of Fine Art, Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), Edinburgh
2001 - 2005 BA (Hons) Drawing & Painting, ECA, Edinburgh
2023 Off Road Driving – Standard Level (The British Off Road Driving Association – BORDA)
2021 Manual Handling Awareness certificate
2020 Swedish Chainsaw Licence (Säker Skogs Motorsågskörkort), levels A and B
Full clean driving licence
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and AutoCAD