New Chair for Green Roof Organisation as Board Reaffirmed

Chris Bridgman

The Green Roof Organisation (GRO) has elected a new Chair to head the UK-based, not-for-profit trade association representing the green, blue, and biosolar roofing industry.

Chris Bridgman is newly appointed as Chair, as GRO board members retain their seats for another three-year term.

GRO publishes the GRO Green Roof Code, which has become the UK industry standard, as well as orchestrates World Green Roof Day.

Chris comments, “To be Chair of the Green Roof Organisation (GRO) is an absolute honour and I would like to thank the Board for having faith in me to take the big seat.

“My thanks also go to immediate past Chair, Giles Doland, for his service, knowledge and counsel. Giles will continue to serve as a Board member.

“I have been Vice Chair of GRO for the past six years since it’s reformation as the UK trade body for green roofing and would like to personally thank Mark Harris, GRO co-founder, for his support, encouragement and understanding in the time we have served together on the Board, and to Dusty Gedge, co-founder, for his vision, campaign and drive to get the industry to where it is today in the UK and around the world. I will do my upmost to take good care of the organisation.

Vision 

“While we continue to grow our membership, I want to focus on delivering value for our members in what is a difficult economic time. Working and campaigning together as an industry, we can encourage the growth of green roofs on new and existing buildings, by raising awareness, breaking down barriers and providing good guidance and resources to the consumer. We will continue to lobby government and strengthen ties with industry associations and associate organisations.

“This year we will be hosting events across the UK to improve accessibility, and I aim to spend time visiting our member organisations to receive feedback and input on what our members would like from GRO going forward. I also want to strengthen our working relationships with Europe and the rest of the world via the European Federation and World Green Infrastructure Network.

Background 

“My whole career has centred around horticulture, with the last 17 years focusing on constructing and maintaining green, living roofs across the UK as Managing Partner of Bridgman & Bridgman LLP, which this year celebrates 20 years of incorporation. I have been working for several years on industry-wide training development, to encourage new entrants and to upskill the existing workforce. I founded World Green Roof Day with Dusty Gedge during the pandemic in 2020, and I am currently Vice President of the European Federation of Green Roof and Wall Associations, representing the UK and GRO amongst 18 other trade bodies across Europe.”

2026-2029 GRO Board

GRO Elected Board 2026 to 2029

Chair of the Board Chris Bridgman – Bridgman & Bridgman LLP

Vice Chair Matthew Hoddinott – OLYI Ltd

Secretary Mark Harris – SIKA

Board members

Giles Doland – Racing Edge

Chris Roddick – Bauder

Nigel Wraxall – H.C. Wraxall

Dr Tom Young – TEP

Mike Cottage – TUGC

James Beattie – Pritchard & Pritchard

Dr Heather Rumble – University of the West of England (UWE)

James Hewetson-Brown – Wildflower Co.

Michael Anaxagorou – Axter

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