Our Team
Sam Peters
Executive director & co founder
An award-winning journalist and media campaigner with 19 years’ experience working across national newspapers, Sam spearheaded The Mail on Sunday’s acclaimed concussion campaign, shortlisted for the Cudlipp Prize in 2014.
In the same year, Sam was shortlisted as sports journalist of the year at the Press Gazette Awards and named one of Rugby World’s five most influential media figures.
A keen amateur gardener, rambler and cross-country runner, Sam has also written for The Guardian, Independent, Voice, Mirror and Sunday Times. He has authored two books, including The Row to Recovery.
In 2019 he swapped his life travelling the world covering sport to work full-time on Planted, promoting his true love of nature.
Deborah Spencer
Managing director & co founder
Described as the “godmother of design” by the Evening Standard after launching the award-winning designjunction in 2010, Deborah began her career at the Business Design Centre, where she ran New Designers and the London Art Fair.
In 2006, she moved to Greenwich Village, where she helped re-launch Selfridges home department, connecting her with some of the world’s leading design brands. Deborah also played an integral role in the launch of superdesign, held during the Frieze Art Fair.
In 2008, she joined Tom Dixon’s marketing team, where she launched the Dock event and, soon after, Tramshed.
Deborah is also a mum with an increasingly keen interest in sustainability.
Oliver Heath
Brand ambassador and biophilic design advisor
An industry-recognised global authority on biophilic design, Oliver is the founder of award-winning architecture and design practice, Oliver Heath Design.
With 20 years media experience working for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and other European networks, Oliver is one of the most respected thinkers in the world of sustainable design practice.
His deep knowledge of biophilic practice and the relationship between human connectivity with nature and well-being make Oliver the wise man of the Planted team.
Oliver is responsible for co-ordinating Planted’s talks programme.
Paul Rae
Lead project manager
An experienced project director operating across several sectors. Paul is highly experienced setting up and running teams while providing property and asset management services in Bristol and London. With a diverse portfolio, Paul was previously co-founder of a music events catering company, run research projects working with micro fossils to reconstruct past environments and also run an antiques market.
Having previously lectured on subjects including climate change and sustainable development, Paul is actively engaged with many local community initiatives around south west Wiltshire including the launch of a mobile no-plastic refill shop. He is the driving force behind the Fovant Community Support Group.
Also a committed student of sustainability and keen amateur gardener.
Rosie Barrett
Event planner
With an early career in Film & TV, Rosie is now an experienced events organiser, working across various live event sectors from music to outside arts. Her visual eye for detail and training in event design helps keep the Planted ethos and aesthetic at the forefront in operations.
Rosie grew up on a sheep, cattle and arable farm in West Dorset and so brings her own farming experiences to the event and is passionate about affecting positive changes for our future generations.
Stewart Dodd
Creative director & co founder
An award-winning architect and sustainability expert, Stewart previously worked closely with Deborah at designjunction. In 2016 he designed a stunning external marquee façade which proved one of the most outstanding installations in the history of the show.
With a deep knowledge of sustainable architecture practice and design, Stewart is also chief exec of eponymous food brand River Cottage and has a passion for high-quality, locally-sourced food.
His eye for exceptional design and understanding of beautiful, sustainable produce made Stewart the outstanding candidate to be Planted’s creative director.
Sarah Traynor
Operations director
A self-proclaimed exhibition entrepreneur, Sarah is one of the most connected and experienced operators in the world of events. With 30 years industry experience, Sarah has a launch a succession of critically-acclaimed and commercially successful shows including Taste of London, Cake & Bake and Civil Service Live. She has worked on large-scale production events in music, film and gaming in the middle east and across the UK and was operations director at designjunction for several years.
Another keen amateur gardener within the Planted team, Sarah spent the early part of lockdown completely overhauling, redesigning and replanting the greenhouse at her family home in Kent.