International Women’s Day 2026: Celebrating the Women Who Keep Blakedown Moving

This International Women’s Day the theme is Give to Gain – the idea that when we give our time, support and encouragement to others, everyone benefits. At Blakedown Landscapes that spirit lives right at the heart of our Chobham head office.

Marion Ferguson, Dawn Colraine and Sally Tait are the welcoming faces most people encounter when they first arrive at Blakedown. They are, as one colleague recently described them, the “engine room” that keeps everything running.

Between them they handle the countless details that keep the business moving every day - from keeping the office organised and supporting the accounts team, to helping projects on site with the paperwork and coordination they need. Their work touches almost every corner of Blakedown. Just as importantly, they support each other. As Sally puts it, they are a "fantastic team" who always have each other's backs.

Each of them brings their own unique energy to their role.

Marion balances accounts and transport responsibilities with the unenviable task of organising the legendary Blakedown Christmas party each year. Away from the office she has spent more than 15 years raising funds for her local hospice, taking on challenges that include a 15,000ft skydive, a fire walk and abseiling from the 420ft Northampton Lift Tower. Commitment doesn't begin to cover it.

Dawn is one of those rare people who keeps a hundred things moving at once, ensuring the day-to-day running of the office and the flow of information across the business never misses a beat. Earlier in her career she qualified as an orthoptist, working alongside ophthalmologists to help diagnose and treat eye movement disorders - a background that speaks to her precision and care.

The newest member of the team, Sally, keeps the purchase ledger running smoothly while managing calls and emails business-wide. Outside work she enjoys spending time with her family and is passionate about passing good values on to her two daughters - encouraging them to always treat others as they would expect to be treated themselves. She still makes time for live music too, after catching Oasis Live 25 at Wembley Stadium last summer.

Together, Marion, Dawn and Sally are the administrative backbone of head office. They are a brilliant example of exactly the kind of generosity and consistent support that this year's International Women's Day theme celebrates.

As Marion says, “If you can be anything, be kind.” It’s a sentiment that perfectly reflects the spirit these three women bring to the Blakedown team every day.