Judy Behl Launches Lime Orchard as Managing Director
After graduating from Newcastle University with a degree in Agricultural Food Marketing, Judy showed the tell-tale signs of her entrepreneurial tendencies, starting up a second hand clothes business called “Rummage” with two friends.
Her first “proper” career was with the National Farmers Union, advising farmers and growers on every aspect of their business ranging from marketing to taxation matters! With the invaluable business knowledge she had amassed during her period with the NFU, Judy began to sow the seeds for launching a landscape design business - but one with a marked difference. “The Landscape Company” was launched in 1992, this was to prove the pilot for the roll-out of the UK’s first Landscape Gardening Franchise network.
In 1994, Judy left the NFU to focus her energies on the new business and in 1998, the first franchisee was recruited. With the first franchisee in place, the company changed its name to Scenic Blue and grew to a network of franchise territories across the country. Judy also successfully managed motherhood whilst the business was growing, she has two children Josie 14 and Greg 11.
The company established itself as a highly credible player in the landscape sector winning a hat full of awards including 13 British Association of Landscape Industries’ Awards and RHS Silver, Silver Gilt and Gold Medals at RHS shows, including the Chelsea Flower Show. Judy also served on the national board of the British Franchise Association for two years, having previously served as a regional chair for the association. Judy then successfully sold Scenic Blue, in December 2006, to a national PLC for a seven figure sum.
After a period of “gardening leave” and the pursuit of other interests, Judy will be launching ‘Lime Orchard’ in April 2009 - a new franchise offering based on a garden design and construction service designed to appeal to homeowners looking for a national brand capable of delivering a reliable, high quality solution for their garden project. The company is very much in tune with the current economic climate and will be working not just with clients with new homes, but also those who want to “improve not move”.