The People Behind Astek Garden Design & Build

At Astek Garden Design and Build, we believe the success of any garden project comes from the people behind it. From the initial consultation through to design development, project management, construction, planting, and final completion, our team works closely together to create a smooth, organised, and enjoyable experience for every client.

Each member of our staff team plays an important role in ensuring projects are carefully planned, professionally managed, and delivered to a consistently high standard. By working collaboratively within the same business, we are able to combine creative thinking with practical landscaping knowledge, clear communication, and realistic budgeting throughout every stage of the process.

Working across York, Harrogate, Beverley, Pocklington, and throughout Yorkshire, we pride ourselves on building strong relationships with our clients through honesty, professionalism, and a shared passion for creating beautifully considered outdoor spaces that are built to last, whether that be a large landscaping project or a very small backyard.

Garden Design and build in York with an Oak structure and brick build outdoor kitchen

Client-centred design

Every garden we create is bespoke - designed around your needs, your home, and how you live.

Context is everything

We look closely at the style, setting, and spirit of a place, ensuring the design belongs - not just to the client, but to the land.

Outdoor kitchen using stainless BBQ and pizza oven in a modern garden

Sustainable craftsmanship

We care about what we leave behind. 98% of site materials are recycled, and we source responsibly wherever possible.

Natural inspiration, always

From soft planting schemes to the subtle integration of outdoor living features, our work is rooted in a love for everything natural.

End-to-end excellence

With an in-house team of designers, landscapers, and project managers, we deliver a seamless experience from first sketch to final planting.

Respect for place

Every garden responds to the home it surrounds and the landscape it sits within.

Landscaping

The team behind the craft

Experienced. Approachable. Fully in-house.

We’ve built our reputation the same way we build gardens – carefully, and with the right people.
Crafting a beautiful outdoor space should feel exciting, not overwhelming. That’s why we’ve surrounded ourselves with handpicked professionals who bring clarity, care, and craftsmanship to every stage. With fixed quotations—not estimates—you can expect quality results, expertly managed, and delivered on budget.

Richard

Richard Keast

Founder & Managing Director

Richard founded Astek Garden Design and Build in 1991 with his father and a passion for creating thoughtful outdoor spaces that combine strong design with practical landscaping expertise. With many years of hands-on experience within the landscaping industry, alongside a degree in Garden Design, Richard brings both creative understanding and technical knowledge to every project the company undertakes.

As Managing Director, Richard now oversees the wider design and project development process, helping guide projects from the initial consultation through to construction planning and delivery. Working closely with the design, project management, and landscaping teams, he ensures every garden remains practical to build, aligned with the client’s vision and budget, and delivered to the high standards the company is known for.

Richard is particularly passionate about creating a transparent and informative experience for clients, encouraging open conversations around design ideas, materials, budgets, and long-term project planning to help clients feel confident throughout every stage of the garden design and landscaping process.

John Barker

John Barker

Director and Project Manager

John Barker is a Director of Astek, where he oversees and leads every project undertaken by the company. With over 20 years of industry experience, he has developed extensive expertise in project management, strategic leadership, and delivering high-quality results.

Since joining Astek in 2012, he has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and success. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to high standards, he ensures that every project is executed with precision, professionalism, and excellence.

Charlotte

Charlotte Jones

Lead Designer

Charlotte is a professionally trained garden designer with a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Sheffield. Her academic background is complemented by valuable international experience in ornamental horticulture at Longwood Gardens in the United States, one of the world’s most renowned public gardens. Following her time abroad, Charlotte returned to the UK to focus on garden design, bringing together strong horticultural expertise and thoughtful design principles.

Charlotte takes a people-led approach to design, believing that every garden is as unique as the individuals who use it. By combining creativity with careful listening, she creates gardens that are not only beautiful and ecologically considered, but also meaningful and reflective of those who inhabit them.

Jude Holmes

Jude Holmes

Office Manager

Jude keeps us all together – running the office like a well-oiled machine and making sure everything ticks along exactly as it should. An outdoorsy Yorkshire girl with a no-fuss attitude, she’s the one who gets things done when they need doing. Everyone should have a Jude in their office — we’re just lucky she’s in ours.

As Operations & Finance Manager, Jude oversees everything from payroll and invoicing to banking, scheduling, and internal reporting. She’s also the first person many clients speak to — and the calm, capable voice on the other end of the phone when things need sorting. With a sharp eye for systems and a natural way with people, Jude plays a central role in both the day-to-day and the big picture at Astek.

Astek Garden Design team 1

The build team

Skilled Landscapers & Specialists

Our landscaping teams are central to the delivery of every project. Highly skilled and deeply experienced in both hard and soft landscaping, they work closely with the design team to bring each garden to life with precision, care and exceptional craftsmanship.

Contemporary new build garden with lawn, purple flowering plants, wooden fence and modern seating area.

Contemporary New Build Garden, Pocklington

Designed off plan as the builders were finishing off, with a view to making a start before the clients moved in, this new build home in Pocklington presented the perfect opportunity for a contemporary garden to be planned and delivered from the outset

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Adventurous new build

Adventurous New Build Garden, York

With a blank canvas outside, the brief was to create a garden they could fall in love with and use for a number of occasions.

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Aerial view of formal riverside garden with manicured lawns, structured planting beds, greenhouse and summerhouse.

Riverside Home, York

As with most full garden re-development projects, a client brief, highlighting aims and objectives, and an overview of the main problems and opportunities of a site is a must, and a good way forward for creating a considered design proposal that meets the needs of the client and their particular wishes.

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The York Lifestyle Group

We’re proud to be a founding member of The York Lifestyle Group, a collective of independent businesses committed to delivering exceptional products and services across the region.

This informal but trusted network allows us to collaborate with like-minded partners who share our values: quality, integrity, and attention to detail. Whether it’s bespoke interiors, architectural finishes, or outdoor features, we regularly collaborate with fellow members to bring the best of York’s creative talent to our clients.

Visit the York Lifestyle Group Website

Ready to reimagine your garden?

Whether you have a vision or don’t know where to start, we’ll help you shape a space that feels like home.

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Contact us

Thinking of making some changes to your outside space? Want to discuss how we could help? Contact us and one of the team will be in touch soon. We're excited to bring your vision to life and create a stunning outdoor space you'll love.

info@astekyork.co.uk

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