Who's Who

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre has grown to what it is today because of a dedicated and committed team. Here are just a few of the team working hard daily to offer the best customer service and shopping experience to our customers as possible.

Mark Cleary - Founder

Mark started the business back in 1990 with wife, Christina. Mark is actively involved in the business and oversees the some of the purchasing for the garden centre. Mark is instrumental in driving
the business forward.
Christina Cleary - Founder

Christina co-founded the business with Mark, and her green fingers have helped build its strong reputation for quality plants. She is actively involved in purchasing, staffing, and the day-to-day running of the garden centre.

Huw Lewis - Finance Director

Huw has worked at the garden centre for 26 years, starting at 13 by assisting customers, carrying goods, and working in the nursery. After completing his A-levels, he joined full-time as a shop manager before transitioning into bookkeeping. The business supported his studies through the Association of Accounting Technicians and later the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Huw qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2010 and is now Finance Director, overseeing accounting, administration, and outdoor leisure purchasing.
Katie Eckley - Operations Director

Katie, Mark and Christina’s eldest daughter, has worked in the business for 26 years. She started in the shop, developing a passion for floristry at 17, later running the floristry department. She went on to earn a BSc in Horticulture and Plant Science, receiving a gold medal and best in show for garden design at Malvern Show, as well as academic awards for her dissertation on wildflower conservation. In 2020, Katie became Operations Director, overseeing the day-to-day running of the site, purchasing for the gift area and farm shop, budgeting, and working alongside other directors to drive future plans.

Joe Aldworth - Marketing & E-commerce Director

Joe has worked at the garden centre for 15
years, starting at 18 as a general retail assistant. After earning his BSc in Business Management, he was promoted to Marketing Manager, overseeing all marketing and e-commerce activity. In 2020, he became a director and is responsible for overseeing all Marketing and E-commerce activity within the business.
Liam Cleary - Garden Retail Director

Liam, Mark and Christina’s son, has worked in the business for 22 years. His passion for plants began in the growing nursery and local markets with his dad, leading him to study a National Diploma in Horticulture at Pershore College while working at the garden centre.
Liam now oversees plant and gardening stock purchasing, working closely with growers to ensure quality and value for customers. In 2020, he became Garden Retail Director and co-founded the Young People in Horticulture Association, an organisation dedicated to encouraging and promoting careers in the industry.
Shaunagh Cleary - Catering Director

Shaunagh is the youngest of Mark and Christina’s children and has worked within the catering department for 17 years. In 2020 Shaunagh became Catering Director. She has a passion for the catering department producing homemade food, freshly baked goods and using local produce. She has a keen eye for food presentation and great customer experience which has helped to grow the catering to 25% of the overall business. Shaunagh is always trying to drive forward new ideas in catering to keep up with trends whilst keeping things affordable for our customers.