To support the growing demand for their natural slate landscaping materials, Cumbria-based slate producers Burlington Slate have appointed John Atkinson as Landscaping Products Manager.

John was already at Burlington. He will now be responsible for overseeing the production process of the company\'s portfolio of landscaping materials at its Kirkby and Elterwater quarries.

He will also assume responsibility for all sales and marketing activities for the landscaping range of products that are proving increasingly popular with both the trade and retail sectors alike.

Burlington\'s landscaping products portfolio includes mulch, fines, chippings, paddlestones, paving, walling, rockeries, obelisks and other feature stones.

Burlington\'s natural slate is available in a colour palette that includes pale green Elterwater, blue grey Kirkby, mid green Broughton Moor, olive green Bursting Stone and Brandy Crag - a distinctive silver grey stone. The landscaping products are available as standard or may be produced to bespoke designs.

John joined Burlington in 1987. He has held positions in the architectural final inspection / packing & despatch departments and was later promoted to architectural despatch foreman in 1988. He then assumed the role of health, safety and quality manager. Prior to joining Burlington, John worked as a horticultural engineer.

Married with one child, John is a former British Open Fell Runners Association Champion and his love of the outdoors still includes fell running and cycling.