Colin Barnes, managing director of GDC, in his early years first started cutting grass and tinkering with the odd lawnmower for friends, family and locals behind his parents shop.

Mrs and Mrs Barnes senior ran the post office, general stores and their well-known homemade ice-cream shop in St Olaves for many years. With help from his parents Colin began selling plants he grew out the back of the shop and as the business grew Colin started selling garden machinery and had developed a big customer base for grounds maintenance.

In 1971, GDC became incorporated and fast forward 50 years Colin, his wife Sheila and their 2 sons Nigel and Stuart have grown the small family business into a strong team of over 30 members of staff across the company.

‘’I started up the Company by myself in 1968, at the age of 20, and as business grew the Company was registered/incorporated in July 1971.

Since then GDC Ltd has steadily and successfully grown to where we are today, and I feel honoured and privileged that we have a very committed and loyal team of thirty three staff, including five Directors which I am proud to say include my wife and both our sons.

Although GDC Ltd is primarily a family run business we are so lucky with our group of employees and have a close happy working relationship amongst our team, over half who have been with us between five and thirty two years. We would not have grown in size and success without the support from our valued workforce.’’