Lawn Turf & Top Soil Suppliers

Maintaining GDT’s exceptional customer service whilst delivering expert advice and support from our St Albans office is the role of Depot Manager Mark Mills.

Despite only being with the business for two and a half years, Mark brings a unique advantage and specialist quality to the role having previously managed his own landscaping business for seven years.

This real-life experience and understanding of the unique challenges facing our landscaping customers enables Mark to provide a truly personalised service, making him a valuable asset to our team.

Passionate about getting on the career ladder from a young age, Mark left school at sixteen to work at an independent DIY store where he stayed for five years. It’s fair to say, this practical hands-on role marked the start of Mark’s knowledge and passion for working in the trade sector as from here he took on a sales role for a multi-national plumbing and heating company running several branches and depots for over 16 years. Alongside developing his exceptional sales and customer service skills during the week, Mark began doing small landscaping jobs at the weekend for friends and family, including turfing, decking and fencing repairs.

With a Dad in the building trade, Mark was used to helping him out from time to time and this built up his knowledge and skills in DIY. Keen to move out of the merchant side and start doing something more physical, Mark finally took the plunge in 2014 and started his own landscaping business. Within three years, he had five members of staff and had reached an impressive turnover of £120,000.

Working across Hertfordshire Mark developed a great reputation and enjoyed being outside and the creativity that enabled him to completely transform a garden and provide so much satisfaction to his customers.

After seven successful years and countless seven-day weeks, Mark decided it was time for a change and it was then he got in touch with George Davies Turf.

As one of his suppliers, Mark was no stranger to GDT and he knew many of the staff by name. After mentioning he was looking for a new role, he was invited in for an informal chat with George.

With his impressive background and industry knowledge it was clear Mark had a great deal to offer GDT and we jumped at the chance to take him on board. After a week’s trial, Mark joined the business and quickly progressed to the role of Depo Manager.

Mark said, “I love the fact that I can spend a lot of time outside and utilise my skills in sales and customer service. I’m constantly moving around and being active whilst chatting with people daily from all walks of life and I enjoy supporting GDT’s business development and having to be very organised.

“The managers here are the most approachable managers I’ve ever had and if I ever have any issues I have no hesitation in contacting them for support. Everyone is chatty and there is a real feel-good atmosphere.  It’s great to be able to bring my background and experience to the role and give advice to others whilst learning a lot too. As a landscaper I know what it’s like to be on the other side and the service people expect and that helps me to deliver a great experience.

“What’s more I have my work-life balance back and a job I love.”

Outside of work Mark enjoys socialising with friends, spending time with his family and coaching his son’s football team every Saturday morning which he has done for the past three years.

As a previous golf player, he hopes to start playing again soon and getting back into his love and skill for outdoor cooking which he threw himself into during lockdown delivering homemade curries and cooking up delicious American-style dishes in his outdoor smoker.

With a passion for travelling, Mark also has plans to fulfil his dream of an American road trip one day which will take him to Nashville, Cincinnati and Tennessee.