‘Gillian’s Wood’ to be named after valued colleague at Boots UK

 

Colleagues in the HR team at Boots UK have spent today (Wednesday, 17 April 2019) planting 170 trees on the Boots site, to create a woodland area to celebrate 170 years of years of helping people in the UK to feel good. Alongside Nathan Clements, HR Director and Matthew Blain, HR Operations Director, 15 Boots colleagues planted the trees that have been donated by The Woodland Trust. 

The new woodland area is to be called ‘Gillian’s Wood’ after a member of the HR team that worked for the company for 10 years and only recently retired due to ill health. Gillian Smith was instrumental in procuring the trees from The Woodland Trust. Gillian attended on the day to take part in the tree planting.

The trees were planted by the Boots D90 central support office building, in an area that is currently grass land.

Nathan Clements, HR Director, Boots UK, said: “I am delighted to take part in the tree planting as part of our 170 year celebrations. At Boots, we care about our environment and surroundings and wanted to celebrate our 170^th anniversary with something that will leave a lasting legacy and will contribute positively to our environment for many years to come.”

Matthew Blain, HR Operations Director, Boots UK, said: “It is a great project to be involved in to celebrate Boots 170^th anniversary. What makes it even more special, is the fact we can celebrate our college Gillian, by naming the area ‘Gillian’s Wood’. Without Gillian, today would not have been possible. Gillian was a massive part of the HR team for a number of years and it is great she is able to come along and celebrate the tree planting with us today.”

John Tucker, director of woodland outreach at the Woodland Trust said: “We are delighted that Boots are planting the 170 trees we have donated on the head office site. There’s a real passion for planting across the UK. People want to feel they are making a difference. Trees resonate on so many levels – they have cultural significance, they filter our air, improve our soils, provide a home for wildlife, and add value to our streets.”