Rooted in Passion, Growing with Purpose
The Great British Flower School was born from a shared vision: to make sustainable floristry accessible to all—whether for business or pleasure. Our school is built on decades of experience in growing, design, and floristry.
Meet the Founders
Roz Chandler – Flower Farmer, Mentor, Business Strategist
Roz has always been drawn to the outdoors. Her journey began with a BSc in Environmental Science, later complemented by an MA in Digital Strategies, where she researched the sustainability of flower farming. With over 30 years in marketing and sales, Roz uniquely combines business acumen with hands-on flower farming expertise, making her one of the few globally to do so.
In 2012, she founded Field Gate Flowers, a thriving 5-acre flower farm in Lathbury, Milton Keynes. Committed to organic and sustainable practices, Roz and her team use biological and cultural controls, promote sustainable floral mechanics, and advocate for British-grown flowers. The business has worked on over 500 weddings and many thousands of farewell blooms.
Her expertise extends beyond the field—having built a successful digital marketing agency and served as a Non-Executive Director in UK agriculture, Roz knows how to turn a passion into a profitable and sustainable business.
Roz’s dream is simple: to empower more people to be sustainable in their flowery creations . She met Ali through a mutual contact and was immediately drawn to her floristry style, skills, and eco-conscious ethos. Over many cups of tea, The Great British Flower School was launched.
Ali Conway – Florist, Designer, Educator
Ali’s journey to floristry wasn’t linear, but it was always leading her here. With a Master’s degree in Psychology from Glasgow University, she initially pursued a career in marketing, working in agencies from SoHo, New York, to McCann Erickson in London. Despite the excitement of agency life, Ali longed for a deeper connection to nature.
Becoming a mother provided the opportunity to change course. She retrained in Garden Design while balancing motherhood, running a global postal design service, and freelancing for large firms. But something was missing—Ali had designed countless gardens for others but spent too much time at a desk, feeling disconnected from the very thing she loved.
That all changed when she discovered floristry. Launching Rambling Stems in 2020, Ali found her true calling in creating natural, foam-free floral designs with British-grown flowers. Her work resonates with clients who appreciate her warm approach, creativity, and unwavering commitment to sustainability.
Ali’s frustration with traditional floristry training—its rigid structure, outdated techniques, and lack of eco-conscious education—led her to a clear mission: to teach floristry differently. She wanted a school that prioritized sustainability, eliminated unnecessary jargon, and provided practical, relatable training. And so, her path aligned with Roz’s, and The Great British Flower School was born.
Sustainability matters
Floristry is a beautiful and creative industry, bringing joy to people through stunning floral arrangements for weddings, funerals, and everyday occasions. However, behind the beauty lies an environmental impact that cannot be ignored. We believe it’s time to update our skills, educate our clients and re-evaluate floristry techniques.