Ben Barnard is director at Mossy Rock Ltd, following a successful tenure as head gardener at Upsall Castle.

Barnard oversees a team who works to promote chemical free gardening and environmentally friendly outdoor spaces.

In March 2020, Ben Barnard appeared on a Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland podcast, discussing the importance of leadership and the role it has played in his career to date.

Having worked in a number or roles since the age of 14 in corporate entertainment, team building, and on high ropes courses, Ben soon branched out into forestry, arable and sheep farming, building, joinery, roofing, and a little bit of plumbing to boot. 

Ben graduated from Durham University reading Ancient and History and Archaeology, then entered the wine trade for two years managing, buying, and selling wine, before returning to the self employed farming and building game. 

At this time, the seed was sown for Mossy Rock and all those practical, educational, and managerial skills were put to use in forming an organic gardening and landscaping company which has been the focus since 2015.

Having an ever growing team of employees, Mossy Rock has undertaken work for the likes of the NHS, Grupotec Renewables, Freedom Group, ESH Group, Mitie Group, Deerness Fencing and Landscaping, Newby Developments, and Ripley Castle public gardens, hot houses, and grounds to give a flavour of the diversity of work undertaken by his progressive company.