Based just outside of Hexham in rural Northumberland, Aydon Shields Ltd was established by Adrian Hilton in the Summer of 2015. Adrian is committed to practical environmentalism. He first qualified as a Farm Manager in 1984, before traveling to Africa to establish a Farm School and agricultural extension service with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). On his return he moved into landscape construction, initially in London and then the Cotswolds. During this time he studied for a post graduate diploma in landscape architecture, and qualified as a Landscape Architect in 1993.
Adrian Hilton Dip.LA MA
Adrian's approach to landscape design, that of using landscape as ‘applied ecology’, led him to the West Midlands and the Urban Wildlife Trust (now the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country). Here he established the Natural Curriculum Project.
Working with students, schools and communities across the West Midlands to develop their school grounds as ecologically rich cross-curricular teaching resources, he continued his studies and received a research Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, focussing on ecosystem modelling in 1995.
Nick Cooper (Royal Haskoning), Adrian and Pete Kerr (EA) at the ICE Awards
Moving on to Wolverhampton City Council, Adrian developed approaches to integrate sustainability across all service areas, with a particular emphasis on climate adaptation and resilience. He became a founder member of the West Midlands Climate Change Partnership, establishing strong links to Government departments, and he lead on the move to establish Wolverhampton as a Fairtrade City. Fairtrade City status was achieved in 2005.
In 2006, Adrian moved to Northumberland and established the North East Climate Change Partnership (Climate North East). Working with communities, local authorities and Government, this partnership delivered a range of award winning initiatives including Best Educational Initiative from Climate Week and the Observer Ethical Award for the Climate Change Schools Programme, and the Robert Stephenson Award for Sustainability from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for the North East Climate Adaptation Study.
During this time, Adrian became a founder member and Vice Chair of Climate UK. Working closely with Government he was a contributor to the national Climate Change Risk Assessment and the National Adaptation Programme and, in 2013, negotiated a national partnership between Climate UK and the Environment Agency to promote and act on climate adaptation and resilience.
In the summer of 2015, Adrian stepped down from Climate UK to established Aydon Shields Ltd and follow his passion for practical environmentalism in action.
Adrian has considerable experience in all aspects and all scales of landscape design, construction and maintenance - from small private gardens to complex commercial projects. He has a strong track record in community engagement and is comfortable working with private individuals and all levels of organisation or government to deliver sustainable solutions. Recent clients include private householders, Savills Estate Agents, Greenwich Hospital, Chollerton First School, Whitley Chapel First School and the Northumberland Rivers Trust.
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Aydon Shields Ltd. Registered Company No. 9768178