Dobbies announces CFO change

Dobbies Garden Centres announces that its CFO, Jonathan Wass, will step down from his role on 12 November 2025 and names his replacement. Read more - open to all

Pete Templeton, CFO Dobbies Garden Centres

Pam Pointer award winner from Bransford Webbs

Sam Olesky, apprentice at The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, has won the Pam Pointer Award for 2025 through the Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH). The award recognises horticultural students for outstanding achievements in both academic and practical pursuits.
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Sam Olesky

Gyles Brandreth announced as keynote speaker at 2026 GCA Conference

Writer, broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth will deliver a keynote on “The Seven Secrets of Happiness” at the GCA’s 2026 Conference, part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.

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Gyles Brandreth who will be speaking at the 2026 GCA annual conference

Takeaways from the HTA conference

The best attended HTA Conference heard the retiring speech by James Barnes, a review of the economic outlook and an update from a DEFRA minister plus panel debates. Read more - members only

Top HTA award recognises achievements of Natalie Boynton

The HTA has awarded Natalie Boynton, Happy Plants Ltd and co-founder of the YPHA, the 2025 Pearson Memorial Medal for outstanding service to the garden industry. Read more - open to all

Natalie Boynton and Will Armitage

YouTube farmer Joe Seels to front national Christmas tree competition

YouTuber and farmer Joe Seels will host the 2025 British Christmas Tree Growers Association competition, where winners provide Downing Street’s tree and wreath, with a Celebrity Choice award and industry celebration. Read more - open to all

Patrick Kielty to host the 2025 GIMA Awards

Patrick Kielty will take the stage on Thursday 6 November 2025 at the five-star Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales, guiding guests through a night celebrating the innovation, dedication and passion of the garden product manufacturers shaping the future of garden retail.

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Patrick Kielty to host the 2025 GIMA Awards

GCA adds a new member to the Executive Committee

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has appointed Dan Lawton, General Manager at Moss & Moor in Ilkley, as Area Co-Chair for the North, covering Scotland and Northern Ireland.  Read more - open to all

Dan Lawton has joined the GCA’s Executive Committee as Area Co-Chair for the North.

New area sales manager for Fallen Fruits

Fallen Fruits are excited to announce that Sarah Cottle will be joining the business on the 10th September as our New Area Sales Manager for the East Midlands and North East. Read more - open to all

Sarah Cottle - New Area Sales Manager for the East Midlands and North East

Green-tech strengthens Irish presence

Green-tech has announced the appointment of Gavin Saunders as Business Development Manager for Ireland. Gavin joined the company on 1 July 2025 and is already working closely with customers and partners across the island. Read more - open to all

Richard Gill and Gavin Saunders

STIGA appoints a new UK managing director

STIGA announces the appointment of James Gordon as the company’s new UK Managing Director and confirms attendance at GroundsFest 2025. Read more - open to all

James Gordon, STIGA's new UK Managing Director

Selecta-One UK introduces future Area Manager Stuart Wassell

Selecta-One UK Ltd., the UK branch of Selecta one - a global leader in the breeding, cultivation and marketing of innovative ornamental plants – is pleased to welcome Stuart Wassell to the UK team Read more - open to all

Stuart Wassell

Hillier Garden Centres welcomes a new Retail Director

Hillier Garden Centres is pleased to announce the appointment of Carl Milton as Retail Director, joining the company this September.

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Hillier - Three Legged Cross

Hornby George PR expands team with senior appointment

Hornby George PR has appointed Sally Jee as Senior PR Account Director following a period of strong growth and a major expansion of its client portfolio. Read more - open to all

Hornby George PR has appointed Sally Jee as Senior PR Account Director

In memory of Adrian Masters

It is with the most profound sadness that Origin Amenity Solutions, along with many in our industry, remember our friend and colleague, Adrian (Ade) Masters, who passed away after a short illness. Read more - open to all

Adrian Masters

Blue Diamond triumphs at Excellence in Housewares Awards

Blue Diamond Garden Centres has secured two major accolades at the prestigious Excellence in Housewares Awards 2025, held at The Royal Lancaster, London. Read more - members only

Ali Buchan and Claire Jenner Blue Diamond Category Managers Kitchen and Housewares

Promotion for Mark Butler

Mark Butler, UK Field Sales Manager with Vitax since 2017, has been promoted to Director of Sales in recognition of his outstanding contributions and leadership. Read more - open to all

BHETA restructures senior team ahead of 2026

BHETA is restructuring its senior management team from January 2026. Will Jones becomes Exhibition Director for the Exclusively Show, while Stephen Richardson steps up as General Manager, reporting to Executive Chair Andrew Weiss. Read more - open to all

Will Jones

The HTA appoints new Non-Executive Directors to its Board

The HTA has appointed Jacqui Prior, Brett Avery, and Martin Rowe as Non-Executive Directors, bringing extensive horticultural, finance, and business expertise to guide strategy, governance, and support for over 1,400 member businesses. Read more - open to all

L-R Martin Rowe, Jacqui Prior and Brett Avery

Green-tech’s Laura Darlow named Pro Landscaper 30 under 30 winner

Green-tech’s Logistics Team Leader Laura Darlow has been named one of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation winners for 2025, recognising her rapid career progression and outstanding contribution to the landscaping industry.

 

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30 under 30 winner Laura Darlow with MD Kris Nellist

Alan Roper is not thinking about succession

Blue Diamond MD, Alan Roper,  reveals his thoughts on his successor, GLEE and the 8 pillars that support the country’s biggest turnover garden centre group. Read more - members only

Alan Roper at Glee

Smiemans strengthens team with Olaf Mos

We are delighted to welcome Olaf Mos to the team. He brings extensive experience in glass constructions and energy systems, and will be strengthening our team in the commercial and operational areas. Read more - open to all

Olaf Mos at Smiemans

Joe Lydon wins Garland’s ‘Sales agent of the year’

Garland Products has awarded the title to Joe Lydon, its agent for Scotland. This is Joe’s fourth win, following successes in 2014, 2016 and 2022. Read more - open to all

Joe Lydon with Garland's 'Sales Agent of the Year' Trophy

New director to lead growth at Branded Garden Products

Branded Garden Products Ltd (BGP), parent company of Thompson & Morgan and Suttons, has appointed Mark Burberry as B2B Director to strengthen its retail and export strategy.

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Mark Burberry

Mary Portas to speak at 2026 GCA Conference

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has announced that businesswoman, broadcaster, author, and activist Mary Portas OBE will be a keynote speaker at its annual conference. Read more - open to all

Mary Portas OBE, who will be speaking about retail at the 2026 GCA annual conference

Fallen Fruits promote Jon Buckwell to UK Key Account Manager

Fallen Fruits are thrilled to announce the promotion of Jon Buckwell to UK Key Accounts Manager. Read more - open to all

Jon Buckwell, UK Key Accounts Manager

Supremo Leisure announces leadership transition

Supremo Leisure has announced a major leadership succession that signals the start of an exciting new chapter. After five years of remarkable growth, the business is moving into a new era of stability and innovation. Read more - open to all

Adam Gregory & Zac Windsor

Grass Gains doubles turnover and launches national sales team

Grass Gains doubles turnover and launches national sales team to boost retail support, following strong growth driven by bold branding, product performance, and digital engagement. Read more - open to all

Personnel changes at Dejex to support business growth

Dejex has announced a series of internal promotions and role changes as the company experiences strong growth across key areas of its horticultural business.

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New MD for Haddonstone

A new chapter for Haddonstone sees David Barrow handing over the role of Managing Director to former Finance Director Nick Lantsbery, as he becomes the company Chairman. Read more - open to all

David Barrow, Haddonstone’s new Chairman, with Nick Lantsbery, former FD and now MD

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