Our Team

With his multitude of horticultural qualifications, Howard is the chief creative force at Lucas House and Garden. Howard excels in his ability to interpret a client’s garden dreams and ideas, revelling in the opportunity to create something unexpected and exciting in his designs. His exceptional people skills allow him to build real and lasting connections with clients, which enables him to design a garden that provides maximum pleasure for the owner, considerately guiding them to bring their unique vision to life with his wealth of experience and knowledge.  With over 20 years working in the design industry and 10 years in construction and maintenance, Howard has an exceptional understanding of all aspects of the design process from inception to completion. Howard is a gentle soul with exceptional creative vision. When he is not designing, he’s a dad to 2 young children.

Matt is the most recent addition to the Lucas House and Garden team. Qualified in Landscape Construction and Audio Engineering, Matt is extremely capable and organised. He is the first point of contact with new projects and landscape enquiries. His day-to-day role involves initial on site- consultations, estimating, client liaison throughout projects, communication to construction managers/site supervisors, maintaining relationships with clients and suppliers as well as mentoring, motivating and developing our team members. He has been involved in the Landscape industry for over 15 years and loves watching a garden’s ‘blank canvas’ being transformed into something beautiful. He values his ability to build great relationships with clients, finding joy in seeing their reactions in watching a dream garden come to life. With his newborn baby in tow, Matt loves to take long and complicated detours on car journeys –  pointing out, to his very patient wife, every project he’s ever worked on. He assures us she loves it too.

Qualified in Horticulture and with 23 years in the industry here in Melbourne, Mark also has further background in Landscape Design and Structural Engineering (along with his self-described diploma from the School of Hard Knocks, Blackburn). Mark is the Director of the Landscape Department and is a licenced and registered Structural Landscaper, bringing his vast knowledge (and exceptionally high expectations) in all things landscape to the table.

He oversees the process from design phase, through to estimations and construction to deliver high value, high quality landscape projects from the planning through to handover. Mark is involved every step of the way and loves to walk through completed garden spaces with happy clients, seeing the design intent and brief come to life – often after months of planning and construction. He is inspired by landscapes that work in harmony with a home and its natural surrounds. At home in the Dandenong Ranges on a never ending renovation project, a family man, Mark spends much of his ‘free’ time involved in various sports and committees with his 3 children.

James Lucas is the quiet, modest brains behind Lucas House and Garden. After gaining his Diploma of Horticulture “from way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth”, James learned his trade both at Poyntons Nursery in Essendon, and at Jenny Smith Gardens in Malvern*, where he worked in garden maintenance and landscaping. James knows this industry inside out and is not afraid of getting his hands dirty; he’s involved in every aspect of the business he loves.

From humble beginnings, with one trusty Hilux and some basic garden tools, James founded the business in 2005 with an unceasing vision to provide Melbourne’s finest quality landscape design and garden maintenance services. Through his dedication and hard work, and unfailing support from his wife and extended family, James has stayed true to his vision and created a thriving business that is a trusted name in premium garden design and maintenance throughout Melbourne’s most beautiful suburbs.

James directs the culture, vision and planning at Lucas House and Garden, but is very much hands-on when it comes to building relationships with clients, suppliers and staff. Though much of his time is spent managing the overall business (and a fabulous team now run each individual part of the business) James still provides input on design, sales, construction, maintenance and fleet and yard management. He is an active and crucial part of the team.

Proud of the culture that has been developed, James loves that his work still brings challenges and opportunities each day. The growth and development of his staff, of the Lucas brand, and of the gardens they create and maintain, are of the utmost importance to James. He has built a company that empowers staff to achieve their career goals, whilst creating beautiful, outdoor spaces for clients to enjoy.

James runs the business with quiet authority, confidence, and the utmost discretion for his clients’ privacy. Lucas House and Garden is proud of its reputation for excellence in all areas of the business and James feels privileged to work with such an outstanding team.

*Jenny Smith Gardens joined forces with Lucas House and Garden in 2016 and is now part of the thriving Lucas business.

Sam has been with the company for over 8 years and is the General Manager at Lucas House and Garden – a role akin to that of Superman. Qualified in Accounting and Computer Systems, Sam manages the day to day operations of the business, controlling everything from budgets to hiring staff. His integrity is described by James Lucas as “legendary”. With high expectations of everyone, including himself, Sam is highly respected by his colleagues (despite baracking for the Bombers) – managing and empowering them in their individual roles. As a father of two young children, he is grounded by his love of family, and inspired by his faith that the right way will always prevail.

Robyn is Lucas House and Garden’s beloved Office Manager. She is super-organised, always kind, and very humble. Robyn brings both order and joy to the office and is a role-model to many of the young site-staff. She is responsible for general administration, accounting, invoicing and reception duties. Robyn genuinely loves her job, and believes one can never have too many plants. She enjoys constantly learning all she can about gardening – she sees it as a bonus of a job that she loves. Robyn’s positive attitude and smiling face is a welcome first point of contact for staff, clients and contractors alike.

A qualified Landscaper and Horticulturist, Leigh is the longest serving employee at Lucas. He knows every aspect of his role inside out and is a constant presence both when meeting new clients and checking in on sites, dealing quickly and efficiently with everything that comes his way. Leigh loves working with clients to improve their gardens through our maintenance services, and values great service above all.  A super-loyal colleague, Leigh is known for his quick wit and sense of fun. As a lifelong football umpire and father of four, he knows all about teamwork and hard graft; he brings those qualities to everything he does and is an essential part of the Lucas team.