TRUE Story: Luke Cooper – A Life Working in The Royal Parks

When Luke Cooper first set foot in The Royal Parks at the age of 15, he never imagined that nearly thirty years later, he would still be caring for some of the world’s most iconic green spaces. What started as a short work experience placement has developed into a lifelong career of service, craftsmanship, and pride in conserving the nation’s heritage.

A year after that first placement, in 1999, Luke was taken on as an apprentice carpenter at Bushy Park. It was here that he began to master his trade and understand just how diverse and fascinating life in The Royal Parks could be. One of his earliest projects involved maintaining the Longford River, a 14-mile waterway that runs from Heathrow Airport through Bushy Park, supplying many of the lakes and fountains across the estate. It marked the start of a lifelong connection to these historic landscapes.

Building a Career and Leading by Example

Over the next 27 years, Luke worked across all nine Royal Parks, helping to maintain statues, monuments, waterways, and historic infrastructure. His career developed through hands-on experience and a strong commitment to quality. In 2015, he became Team Leader for Statues, Fountains, and Events, a role that combines his technical skills and leadership as part of OCS’s hard services delivery for The Royal Parks.

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Luke and his team are responsible for the scheduled preventive maintenance of all listed statues and fountains across The Royal Parks. Their work ensures these landmarks remain in excellent condition for millions of visitors each year. “There is a real sense of pride in seeing a historic statue or fountain restored to its best. You feel part of something much bigger,” he says.

Service Through Uncertainty

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when most of the country was at a standstill, Luke led a five-person team to carry out essential work across the parks. With many colleagues on furlough, they maintained vital infrastructure, enforced restrictions, and kept operations running safely. Their dedication was personally recognised by His Majesty King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, who thanked them for their service during that challenging period.

Delivering National Moments

Luke’s expertise has seen him play a key role in some of the nation’s most important ceremonial and cultural events. Since 2015, he has supported and managed operations for major state occasions, including Her Majesty The Queen’s Funeral, the Coronation of King Charles III, Trooping the Colour, Royal Weddings, and State Visits. He has also supported major public and sporting events such as the London Marathon, RideLondon, The Royal Parks Half Marathon, Proms in the Park, and Winter Wonderland.

“The scale of these events is incredible,” Luke says. “It takes precision and teamwork to make everything happen seamlessly. Knowing you have played a part in moments that the whole world is watching, that is something special.”

Recognition and Expertise

Luke’s achievements have been recognised on numerous occasions. He has received the Royal Parks Guild Award for Outstanding Contribution and medals for his work on The Queen’s Funeral and The King’s Coronation. In 2023, his dedication was recognised with an invitation to a banquet at Buckingham Palace, where he met His Majesty The King and members of the Royal Family, a moment he describes as “truly unforgettable.”

Today, Luke is one of the most experienced specialists in The Royal Parks. He is the only person authorised to manage the Longford River on behalf of the customer, producing detailed reports and implementing long-term improvements. Additionally, he trains OCS and Royal Parks teams in borehole supplies, reservoir safety, and emergency water management.

Since transferring to OCS in 2023, Luke has continued to set the standard, earning multiple Employee of the Month awards and praise from The Royal Parks for delivering cost-effective, high-quality work through self-delivery.

Pride in People and Place

For Luke, the role has never been just a job. It is a lifelong commitment to the people, places, and traditions that make The Royal Parks special. “Every day brings something new, a challenge to solve or a piece of history to preserve. That is what keeps me passionate about what I do,” he says.

As OCS celebrates its 125th year, Luke’s story reflects what has always defined the business: pride in craft, service to others, and dedication that stands the test of time. From his first day as a young apprentice to leading teams trusted with the country’s most historic spaces, Luke embodies the best of OCS, people who make places the best they can be.