Small Talk with director of SAS Landscapes – Scott D. Renwick

Director of SAS Landscapes - Scott D. Renwick

"Building a business from nothing that now supports my future wife and our triplets is a profound success" - Scott D. Renwick talks about his achievements

Horticulture

12 March 2026

In association with ICL

At Growtrade, we’re running an interview series titled ‘Small Talk’, where we talk to various influential members of Ireland’s horticulture trade.

This week’s conversation is with a director of SAS Landscapes – Scott D. Renwick.

How did you first get involved in the horticulture sector?

In the most innocent and humble way possible – planting marigolds in the family back garden. I was about 10 years old and I loved watching them grow. Peonies were my favourite, with their lofty, rambunctious red flower heads. I’d spend many evenings out there tending to my herbaceous friends. It quite literally grew from there.

What was one of the proudest moments in your career to date?

Finishing as a runner-up on a TV reality show with Diarmuid Gavin was one of my proudest moments. I wasn’t ready for a job with Diarmuid at the time – I wanted to finish my degree in horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin – so a runner-up was actually the perfect outcome.

Also, it was a proud moment because I was scared, nervous, and completely out of my depth – but I did it anyway. That experience inspired me to go on and study landscape architecture. Having degrees in both horticulture and landscape architecture has given me a fantastic foundation for my company – SAS Landscapes.

What was one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced in your career to date?

Running a business is stressful. While we’ve never let a client down, there were times when my business partner – Seán and I had to navigate very difficult financial situations to keep the company afloat.

Possibly the greatest challenge, however, was going through retinal surgery. I couldn’t work on site for three months, yet I knew the business had to keep operating. I sacrificed my wages, employed whoever was needed, and somehow we made it work. I still don’t quite know how – but we did. That period tested everything: resilience, leadership, and faith in the long-term vision.

Could you give us an example of a recent success you had in your work?

Success means different things to different people. For me, building a business from nothing that now supports my future wife and our triplets in our own home is a profound success.

It may not be an award-winning headline, but it’s the kind of success that actually matters. Creating stability, opportunity, and a future for your family – that’s real achievement.

What are the greatest challenges facing the industry today?

Regulation or rather the lack of it.

Too many pretenders operate in the industry. Anyone with a shovel can call themselves a landscaper. That hurts those of us trying to do things properly, by the book, without cutting corners.

Until you’re very well established, you’re competing against operators, who don’t meet any recognised standards. Clients often compare purely on price, not quality or compliance. That’s a challenge, but it also creates opportunity. The more you build a strong brand based on professionalism and integrity, the more you separate yourself from that noise.

What are the greatest opportunities facing the industry today?

The opportunity lies in excellence. In landscaping, you don’t necessarily need a niche. If you consistently operate to a high standard, you’re already in the minority. Do simple things exceptionally well. Deliver quality. Communicate clearly. Protect your reputation. When you focus on integrity and execution, you naturally move away from the pack.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career?

You essentially have two primary paths:

set up your own company and aim for the higher end of the market
join a large company with structure and work your way up

You can absolutely have a fulfilling career in a smaller company, but wages are often capped with limited scope for progression.

Whatever path you choose, don’t get too comfortable. Don’t stay static. If you work for someone else, the fastest way to increase your wages is often to leverage your current position into a stronger one elsewhere. If you work for yourself, always aim to add value to everything you do.

Keep it simple. Do simple things exceptionally well. Kill the noise. Focus on your abilities. Run your own race.

Keep your dreams ambitious, but your plan practical. Don’t aim for the stars – aim for the next step. One day you’ll look around and realise you’re surrounded by stars.

What are your hopes for the future of Irish horticulture?

We need proper regulation. We need to protect the industry and standardise best practices. That has to happen at government level.

What’s more, we need stronger apprenticeship structures, as well as, significant increase in wages. There should be a clear distinction between someone “having a go” and someone committed to being a professional.

If we raise standards, increase skill levels, and improve earning potential, we elevate the entire industry. That benefits clients, contractors, and the next generation coming through.

Small Talk is produced in association with ICL, a world-renowned leader in agriculture, food, industrial products, and a top global producer of specialised fertilisers.

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