It may have been the start of the Chelsea Flower Show in London last week, but our interest in gardens is much closer to home, at V&A Dundee!
Last week, V&A Dundee launched a major new exhibition, Garden Futures: Designing with Nature, which runs until the 25th January 2026. The exhibition explores the evolution of garden design, exploring how it is the place where creativity, innovation, and nature collide. From spaces of sanctuary to test beds for experimentation, the immersive exhibition tells the story of how gardens shape our lives, communities, and the world around us.
So, where’s the connection with Spectrum Service Solutions? Well, there’s more than one! We are proud to provide our services daily to V&A Dundee. Indeed, our relationship has blossomed since the fabulous museum and exhibition space opened back in September 2018. So we’ve assisted with not only the day-to-day services, but also many special requirements around functions and launch events.
However, last Thursday was a particularly special night for our Regional Operations Manager, Jennie McColl; she was on the guest list for the launch event. V&A Dundee very kindly invited Jennie to attend because they were aware of Jennie’s horticultural upbringing. Jennie’s father was Jim McColl, MBE (Left), who is still the longest-serving gardening presenter in BBC history. He presented the programme from 1978 until he retired 41 years later in 2019.
During the planning and preparations for the Garden Futures exhibition, the V&A’s Head of Building Operations, Mark Phillips had briefing meetings with Spectrum’s team, including Jennie. It was at these meetings he learned of Jennie’s much-loved and highly-respected father and his horticultural pedigree. And, Jennie was always excited to share updates about the forthcoming exhibition with her father. Sadly, Jim passed away in October 2024 and didn’t get the opportunity to attend this exciting event that celebrates how gardens shape our lives.
However, Mark didn’t forget the connection and very kindly invited Jennie as a guest at the launch event; perhaps a fitting nod to the fact that Jim’s contribution over the years had influenced the gardening lives of so many people.
Speaking about the special night, Jennie (Right) said: “I was delighted and excited when my invite arrived for the launch of the Garden Futures exhibition; it was so kind of Mark to remember about my father and to make sure I was on the guest list.
“Dad would have loved the exhibition; he dedicated his whole life to gardening and the support of gardening initiatives, describing gardening as ‘part of the fabric of our life’s and good for the soul’ he would most certainly have enjoyed visiting the exhibition.
“It was a wonderful night, and I was delighted also to bring along Caroline Kane (Left), who is the Area Manager at Spectrum, who looks after the V&A Dundee contract. It was a pleasure for us to get dressed up for the ‘Botanics or Garden Party’ themed night, and Mark even convinced us that his floral tie was a deliberate choice!”
Spectrum’s Managing Director Rebecca Bell was also keen to thank Mark. She said, “I’d like to thank Mark for his thoughtfulness. Jennie had a wonderful night and is very appreciative that, in the midst of planning and launching a major exhibition, you remembered the connection and ensured she was there on the special night.
“We are proud to work with the V&A Dundee, it is a landmark building and a very high-profile client, but they always treat our team with respect and show their appreciation for the hard work our team puts in daily.”
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBITION AND MAKE A BOOKING HERE: V&A DUNDEE: GARDEN FUTURES
Below, we have shared some of Jennie’s pictures from the fabulous launch night.
