General Manger

Ashley Shadbolt

Born and raised in Sheffield, Canterbury, Ashley’s passion for the natural environment has been a defining aspect of his life and career. After attending Darfield High School, he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Ecology at Lincoln University, where he graduated with First-Class Honours.

With extensive experience in land restoration and vegetation establishment, Ashley’s career spans multiple roles that highlight his expertise in environmental management. His previous experience includes overseeing large-scale landsacping projects in the South Island and hydroseeding and sediment and erosion control.

Throughout his career, Ashley has demonstrated a strong ability to understand clients’ needs and deliver innovative, solutions-based outcomes. His focus on sustainability, along with his collaborative approach, aligns perfectly with Southern Woods’ commitment to environmental stewardship and customer service.

Director, Business Development & Marketing Manager

Rico Mannall

Rico is a Director of Southern Woods, and our Business Development & Marketing Manager. He has over a decade of experience in the nursery industry, working across many departments in the nursery.

His current role involves managing growth and development opportunities at Southern Woods. Rico works closely with clients, key stakeholders, and industry partners on plant supply projects around the South Island. He’s also responsible for managing marketing across the retail/wholesale/online business.

A University of Canterbury Commerce & Arts graduate, Rico has a keen passion for design, innovation, and sustainability. He’s always on the lookout for new ideas within the nursery sector and beyond.

On the odd occasion you find him not working, he’s probably off planning his next adventure in a national park somewhere, or playing social sport with a lot more enthusiasm than talent. 

Winner – 2019 NZPPI Young Achiever

2nd – New Zealand Young Horticulturalist of the Year 2019

• Winner – AGMARDT Innovation Award
• Winner – Fruitfed Supplies Leadership Award
• Winner – Young Horticulturist Competition Best Speech

Plant Centre Manager

Chris Smith

Chris joined Southern Woods as Plant Centre Manager in 2013. With nearly 20 years of retail garden centre experience, he enjoys making customers happy through great advice and recommending the right plant. He was inspired heavily by his time at Clifton Nurseries in London and a number of New Zealand garden centres.

Chris is responsible for staffing, sales, customer service and the culture within our Plant Centre team. He has a Bachelor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism from Lincoln University.  He is a member of the Canterbury Horticultural Society, IPPS and worked in landscaping prior to his current retail management role.

Chris has a wealth of plant knowledge he’s always willing to share. He’s really passionate about perennials and sees them as an important part of bringing life to a garden.

Chris is also fiercely competitive, he enjoys playing table tennis for which he used to be ranked nationally.  He also loves biking and getting out on the rail-trails throughout the South Island. He lives in Christchurch with his partner Jenni and 2 children. He’s been slowly teaching them Latin plant names in the hope they’ll follow in his footsteps one day.

Nursery Manager

Devin Westley

Devin is our Nursery Manager at Southern Woods.

He has a background in fruit tree pruning and a particular interest in espaliers, farm shelter, forestry, and all the practical applications of plants. He is our go-to man for how to get the most out of your home orchard or lifestyle block.

His role as production manager sees him tackling a wide range of tasks from plant costing, water management, environmental impact monitoring, product line development, customer workshops and anything else the management team or board can think to throw at him on top of producing and caring for our large nursery stock.

A Lincoln graduate in Horticulture and Horticultural Management, Devin is a natural researcher, loving nothing more than getting stuck into a project, adding to his knowledge base.

In his spare time Devin, like all millennials, spends far too much time in front of a computer screen with a healthy stream library and Netflix watchlist…

2017 IPPS 4 Pack Member

2018 NZPPI Young Achiever

2018 New Zealand Young Horticulturalist of the Year – Runner up

• Bayer award for best practice,
• T&G award for best practical Knowledge
• RNZIH award for best speech

Compliance & Inventory Manager

Emma Jarvis

Emma is our Inventory and Health and Safety Manager.  She started here after completing a Bachelor of Horticultural Science at Lincoln University in 2005, and after working in a range of departments over the years, she has settled in her current role.

Her main role involves looking after the inventory in the nursery, ensuring stock numbers are perfect for the sales team. This is becoming a full-time job as the nursery grows larger each year!

She also looks after the Health and Safety of the team and the company and is often out on her red bike with a red helmet surveying the site ensuring everyone is behaving and working safely.

Emma loves baking, and we tend to love her baking too! When she’s not busy at work you’ll find her relaxing with her husband and Otis the cat.