Mike Hawes, CMLI Director

Graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University in 1997, Michael has been working as a Landscape Architect for over 25 years. He has left a global imprint on numerous remarkable projects. His career spans diverse collaborations with influential clients and colleagues who have significantly shaped his work and Mei Loci. Michael specializes in the town centre and urban regeneration, showcasing his expertise in strategic planning and detailed public realm design. His understanding of project economics contributes to shaping spaces for positive change while retaining local character. Beyond work, Michael’s passion for the outdoors and smallholding is matched only by his love for rugby, which he occasionally still plays.

Favourite Plant/Tree:   So many that he loves. Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) is a current favourite, having seen some lovely specimens recently –  really stunning colour and structure.

Patricia Hawes, CMLI Director

Trish is a founding director of Mei Loci, with over 20 years experience in Landscape Architecture. Her expertise lies in the design of parks and gardens, and heritage settings, with award-winning projects , including Lesnes Abbey Woods in London; Fort Amherst in Chatham and numerous regeneration projects across Cornwall, the UK and internationally. Her work integrates heritage, community and stakeholder engagement to create meaningful landscapes, focusing on access to nature, well-being and inclusion.  Trish has taught at secondary and HE levels, in Design technology and Landscape Design.

When not at work she can be found looking after animals on her smallholding, growing flowers and veggies, and sea swimming!

Favourite Plant/Tree: Eucalyptus pauciflora (Snow Gum)

Victoria Gardner, Office Administrator

Vic has recently joined Mei Loci as our new Office Administrator and is the friendly, organised heart of the studio.

With a background in commercial and creative roles, she brings exceptional organisational skills and a calm, structured approach to the day-to-day running of the office.

Vic supports the whole team across systems, schedules, and studio operations, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Her attention to detail, warmth, and can-do attitude help create a supportive, well-organised environment for the whole team.

Graham Prentice, Associate Director

Graham is a landscape architect specialising in creative design and implementation for both public and private clients. His work to date has focused on the delivery of public realm projects in collaboration with highly acclaimed architects and design teams, he navigates projects from concept to completion. Key achievements include leading the design, construction, and completion of Cornwall’s Penzance Promenade. Graham’s expertise spans town centre regeneration, housing, and private gardens, working with diverse clients like bunny-homes and Cormac. Edinburgh College of Art graduate (MA Hons, 2008), he gained experience with Anton James Design and LDA Design before joining Mei Loci in 2018. Beyond work, Graham enjoys surfing and cycling.

Favourite Tree/Plant: At the moment he likes any multi-stemmed tree with an umbrella canopy, such as  Amelanchier lamarckii (Juneberry). 

Kelly Jeffs, CMLI. Associate Director

Kelly is a landscape architect who is passionate about reconnecting people with nature and improving wellbeing through the use of greenspace.  With over 12 years of experience, Kelly has contributed to diverse projects across Cornwall, the UK, and New Zealand – from large-scale residential developments to school grounds and urban parks. She believes in the transformative power of nature to bring joy and enhance wellbeing, fostering a healthier environment for all. Currently pursuing Chartership with the Landscape Institute, Kelly serves as Mei Loci’s B-Corp lead, upholding high standards in environmental performance. Outside of work, she volunteers at her local beach, practices coastal and botanical landscape art, and holds a Level 3 qualification as a Forest School Leader.

Favourite Plant/Tree: Fagus sylvatica (Beech)

Graham Sansom, CMLI, Associate

Graham initially collaborated on the Bournemouth Pier Approach project in his role with Cornwall Environmental Consultants and officially joined the Mei Loci team in 2022. His journey in landscape architecture began with training at Sheffield University in Landscape Management and Ecology, followed by a Diploma in Landscape Management and Chartership with the Landscape Institute. With almost 20 years of experience, Graham has been based in Cornwall for over a decade and is also an accredited Building With Nature Assessor.

Passionate about the diverse skills involved in landscape architecture, Graham thrives on projects that seamlessly blend people, nature, place, technical considerations, and creativity. His joy is evident when he transforms knowledge of habitat and ecology into spaces for people to enjoy. Graham finds the most fulfilment in seeing projects come to life on the ground.

Outside the professional realm, Graham enjoys cycling, surfing, and boating. His love for experiencing different cultures and landscapes is evident through his passion for travel.

Favourite Plant/ Tree: One of the larger leaved magnolias (maybe Magnolia delavayi)

Nina Maley, CMLI, Associate

Nina joined Mei Loci in 2021 as a Chartered Landscape Architect, bringing over 15 years of professional practice experience. Specialising in the design, detailing, and construction of public and private landscapes, Nina has left her mark across various scales – from private gardens to regional parks, streetscapes, and heritage landscapes. Her diverse clientele includes local authorities, Town Councils, private developers, and esteemed organizations like the National Trust for Scotland and Forest and Land Scotland.

Nina’s approach revolves around creating landscapes that embody the history, geography, and ecology of their context, reflecting the diverse communities they serve. Her work is characterized by botanically rich planting and meticulous attention to detail, aiming to establish a distinct sense of place for the benefit of the users.

A graduate of Edinburgh College of Art (2008) with a first-class MA (Hons) in Landscape Architecture, Nina holds an RHS Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds joy in sea swimming, beach adventures with her daughter, nurturing her garden, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Favourite Plant/Tree: Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop)

Catherine McLaren, Landscape Designer

Catherine apparently wanted to work as a Landscape Designer from a young age as her 11 year old self wrote that when she left school she would go to work designing gardens. She then took a bit of a detour via a degree in English, then training to become a secondary school teacher at Homerton College, Cambridge and teaching at secondary schools around the UK and in East Africa, before retraining at the Eden Project to fulfil her childhood ambitions, where she graduated with Distinction in Garden and Landscape Design. She loves being able to use her experience of working with young people to create beautiful public and private spaces which bring people of all ages together with nature and allow everyone to really feel they are welcome. Ensuring her landscapes work with nature and the local character, whilst treading gently on the important resource that is our soil, is also important to her work. 

When she’s not working she likes to play cricket, practise ballet, attempt to regenerate her own garden and watch her children grow. 

Favourite plant/tree: Rhus typhina (Stag’s Horn Sumac)

Joss Paine, Landscape Designer

Joss has recently rejoined the Mei Loci team after completing his Master’s degree and spending time working away.

He has a strong background in garden and landscape design, with a particular interest in how thoughtful, well-designed spaces can support both people and nature. Through his Masters in Environmental Technology, Joss developed a deep understanding of environmental systems, human impacts on the landscape, and practical ways to reduce ecological harm through design.

He enjoys working at the intersection of creativity and science, and brings an environmentally informed approach to landscapes that are resilient, biodiverse, and grounded in place.

Louise Gunning, Landscape Designer

Louise joined Mei Loci in 2023 following the completion of her training in Garden and Landscape Design at the Eden Project. 

She loves public realm projects and creating spaces that bring people and nature together using sustainable biophilic design. People, planet, and communities are a key focus of her designs, maximising the benefit of nature on health and well-being by reconnecting people to plants, nature and green-spaces.  She is passionate about developing designs that are aesthetically beautiful and wildlife friendly, creating habitats and allowing a space for nature alongside people.

When she is not working or wrangling her own children, she loves to read, watch bands, sea swim or you will find her in a plant nursery or online obsessing over plants and grasses!

Favourite Tree/Plant: It’s tough to choose –  maybe Amelanchier lamarkii (Juneberry) or she loves Alliums!

James Hill, Graduate Landscape Architect

James graduated from Gloucester University with a degree in Landscape Architecture in 2023 and is currently finishing up his Master’s degree. He’s eager to continue his journey towards becoming a Chartered Landscape Architect. During his time at Gloucester, James showcased his talent in the RHS Tatton Park’s Long Border competition, where his team’s ‘Foragers Haven’ border earned them a Silver Gilt Award—what an achievement!

James is passionate about transforming spaces and brings a fresh, creative perspective to landscape design. He’s particularly interested in SuDs and wetland creation, and we can’t wait to see his innovative ideas in action. When he’s not designing beautiful landscapes, you can find him on the badminton court. This year, he made it to the round of 64 in the BUCs National Competition— very impressive!

Favourite Plant/Tree: Acer palmatum

Peggy, Happiness Coordinator