Elise Carey

Hello! I’m Elise, Lee’s PA. I spend my day talking to Lee, completing outstanding jobs, emails and organising his busy life. I also manage our shop, The Bestall Collection. I choose what products we sell, take care of orders and take on general customer service.

On most occasions, I’m the first point of contact for new clients and projects, and the first person to see what the garden looks like. My favourite part of landscaping and horticulture is being able to see the final result and seeing the ultimate transformation between before and after. It’s amazing to see how dream gardens turn into a reality, and how our team works together to create this. 

In my spare time, I love travelling and going on days out. My favourite days out are to the seaside, and to zoos.  I love being spontaneous, so quite often I go on nights away at the last minute, or even drive to the beach in the middle of the night and watch the sunrise. 

After sixth form, I studied counselling at night school. If I wasn’t a PA now, I’d definitely be a counsellor. It was intriguing to see how the mind works, and ultimately how I can help people more effectively, in a professional but friendly way. I love helping people, being there and giving out advice where I can. I’d like to think I’m a person who people can trust and come to for help, and even when I can’t give any advice, a problem shared is a problem halved. 

If an actress was to play me in a film, I would pick Anne Hathaway. I’d compare myself to her as the PA in Devil Wears Prada… (but Lee is nicer to me than Meryl Streep!). She’s fun, doesn’t take life too seriously but enjoys her job and day-to-day life. 

If I were to be stranded on a desert island, I would definitely take my bed (a number one priority), as well as a camping stove to sterilise water and cook with. I’d also take some bug spray as I hate spiders and creepy crawlies. 

If money was no object, I’d travel the world. First on my list would be South Africa to see the Big 5 before they become extinct, but ultimately I want to visit everywhere to learn about other cultures, different foods and sightsee. I’d also buy a camper van and drive around Europe. I travelled around Europe when I was younger, and would love to drive myself around, now I am old enough to appreciate the surroundings better. 

The most interesting fact I know is that polar bear fur is actually transparent, and their skin is black – it is the reflection of the snow from the landscape that makes them appear white. It’s amazing how much you find out when you actually read the information zoos provide, rather than just seeing the animals! 

I can’t say I’m the funniest person going, but the best joke I can think of is:
What do you call a pig that does karate?
A pork chop!
…don’t tell me you didn’t chuckle at least a little bit.