With his reputation in the industry and with various awards in landscaping, it is not known to many acquainted to Mr. John Tan that his background was originally in Electronics Engineering. His former business, Esmond Engineers Pte Ltd was inaugurated in 1990, three years later, Mr. Tan was setback by health issues.

“My health condition was poor at that time. It was time to reflect on my life and my future”, he explained, “So, I took a break, rested and hung out with my long-time friend Raymond”. Mr. Raymond Toh, who incidentally had been managing a nursery, was pleased to have the company of his good friend helping out around with the “plucking of weeds” but John considered it “therapeutic”. Soon, it became clear to him that he was developing a passion.

In 1994, he set up Esmond Resources Pte Ltd and enrolled himself in the School of Horticulture graduating in 1997 with a Diploma in Horticulture, following a second Diploma in Landscape Design in 2000.

Ongoing, business was brisk with referrals from clients. In 2000 marked the beginning of Esmond Landscape and Horticultural Pte Ltd, a full-fledged landscaping, design and horticultural firm with five employees and a 1000 square feet shop house. In 2005, Raymond partnered John contributing his years of experience, and value-adding the company’s development on a greater level. Now, they have 18 employees, 2.25 acres of operation, pots display centre, a well stock nursery and six awards sitting on their record – 2003 Singapore Bloom (Merit); 2005 LIAS Awards of Excellence (Bronze); 2008 Singapore Garden Festival (Silver); 2009 LIAS Awards of Excellence (Gold and Best of Category) and doubling their award by winning Gold and Best of Show in the 2010 Singapore Garden Festival for both Designer and Implementing Partner.

They pride themselves as the Green Experts and bring splendors of nature into diverse spaces. Esmond Landscape and Horticultural transforms ideas, imaginations, concepts and dreams into tangible creation of tranquility, with its expertise in landscape implementations. The company’s prestigious track records are the testament of its unwavering commitment to provide the best for its clients.

Mr. John Tan as the elected Chairman of Landscape Industry Association (Singapore) hopes to continue to raise the standard and perception of “gardening” and create awareness for the work, not as a simpleton’s job but a form of artistic expression.

“You need passion before you do anything. Focus and enjoy what you do.”