Meet the Jury for the Green Neighbourhood Category

Managing Director of the Gover Group of Companies

Senthil Nathan is an agriculture graduate with over thirty years of experience in the landscaping industry, having spent most of his career in the United Arab Emirates. He first moved to the Middle East in 1995, when he accepted a position as an Agricultural Engineer on a landscaping project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In 1997, he relocated to the UAE, where he worked with a leading landscaping contracting company and contributed to several major projects. He is currently the Group Managing Director of the Gover Group of Companies — a consolidation of six successful businesses, including Gover Horticulture L.L.C, Grand Gover Horticulture Co. L.L.C, Gover Garden Centre L.L.C, and Gover Nursery L.L.C. The Gover Group operates across the horticulture industry, encompassing production, retail, distribution, and contracting services.

Professor at Chiba University, Graduate School of global and transdisciplinary studies

Dr. Ayako Nagase took her Bachelor in Chiba University, Department of Horticulture, Japan. Msc in University of Reading, Department of Horticulture and Landscape, UK. PhD in University of Sheffield, Department of Landscape, UK. Her research interest is urban greening and how plants can contribute to improve the quality of life in urban environment. The aim of research is to apply ecological ideas into landscape for sustainable, efficient and aesthetic development. Her background in horticulture, landscape, engineering and urban life science helps to have a wide perspective.

Horticultural scientist, AIPH Green City initiative leader, AIPH’s programs manager

Dr. Audrey Timm is a horticultural scientist specialized in ornamental horticulture. Her career has covered academic research, industry support, training and on-farm R&D, and connecting design and ecology in urban landscapes. Audrey leads the AIPH Green City initiative with the purpose of increasing the quality and quantity of living green in urban environments and nurturing a strategic shift in city form and function. She also manages AIPH’s programs in Plant Health, Sustainability, and Novelty Protection, supporting its role as the global champion for the power of plants through knowledge exchange, advocacy, and networking.

President of WGIN Association, Advisory Board Member, Treasurer of Advisory Board, Representative and Spokesperson of EU WGIN Business Group

Jure Šumi is a President of Slovenian Green Infrastructure Association, Advisory board member of World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN) and its Treasurer.
Since June 2024 is legal representative of WGIN’s HQ. His expertise lays in the field of green roof customisation for best storm-water management and optimised energy efficiency. He co-holds several patents in the field of vegetated concepts and systems and their application in urban environment. He is regular guest speaker on national and international events related to green urban infrastructure industry and is involved in EU Biodiversity Platform and a member of its Working Group for Green Infrastructure.

Founder of URDX Studio, Director-General of Circular Cities Network, chairman of IFLA Asia Pacific Advisory Board

Damian Tang is a visionary leader in the built environment, with 20+ years shaping urban resilience through biophilic
and regenerative design. Former Senior Design Director at NParks Singapore, he led award-winning national projects, founded URDX Studio, and chaired the IFLA World Congress. As Chairman of the IFLA Asia Pacific Advisory Board and Director-General of Circular Cities Network, he pioneers global circularity and city well-being transformation.

Researcher, founder of Greenstone Design

Co-director of global Urban Health Working Programme for IFLA, dr. Gayle Souter-Brown is a respected researcher and practitioner. Founder director of Greenstone Design UK + Greenstone Design (NZ), Souter-Brown’s work in nature-based health and wellbeing spans 5 continents to date. Academically, Souter-Brown is an adjunct research fellow at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Welington. Her mission is to challenge perceptions, to optimise urban greening to effect urban health.