Andy Merrick joins Allensmore

The team at Allensmore Nurseries is delighted to welcome Andy Merrick on board as Sales Development Manager. Read more - open to all

Andy Merrick

Henil Vashi, Robin Tacchi Plants, is AIPH finalist

United Kingdom’s Henil Vashi, Horticultural Advisor at Robin Tacchi Plants, is one of 3 finalists in the AIPH the Young International Grower of the Year Award. Read more - open to all

LOFA chairman Steve Millington to step down early

Ill health forces Steve Millington is to step down from the chairmanship of LOFA a year early.  He is to be succeeded by the vice-chairman Alwyn Williams. Read more - members only

Steve Millington

What attracted Sam Dickson to Squire’s

What drew Sam Dickson, an experienced FMCG retailer, to become MD of Squire’s, one of the most successful family owned garden centre groups in the UK? Read more - members only

Sam Dickson

Pleydell Smithyman adds two new directors

Pleydell Smithyman, a well-known consultancy specialising in garden centres and farm shops, has announced the appointment of Kathryn Farden and Andrew Burton as its newest directors. Read more - open to all

Kathryn Farden, Paul Pleydell and Andrew Burton

HTA celebrates Baroness Bennett’s Horticulture Fellowship achievement

The HTA congratulates Baroness Bennett on completing her Industry and Parliament Trust Fellowship in Horticulture after two years of sector visits, recognising her commitment to biodiversity, skills and championing green spaces.

Read more - open to all

GIMA director Vicky Nuttall is to step down next year

GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, will step down in May 2026, marking the end of a successful 12-year tenure building the influence and effectiveness of the trade association for garden manufacturers. Read more - open to all

Vicky Nuttall

HSBC Economist Chris Hare to address GCA Conference

HSBC economist Chris Hare will speak at the GCA’s 60th anniversary Annual Conference in January 2026, offering economic insights, inflation forecasts and analysis following the recent budget to garden centre industry delegates. Read more - open to all

Chris Hare an Economist at HSBC Global Banking and Markets

Skye Gyngell

The culinary world is mourning the loss of Skye Gyngell, the acclaimed Australian-born chef who rose to prominence as head chef at Petersham Nurseries Café in Richmond. Read more - open to all

Bulrush strengthens sales team with new regional manager

Bulrush has appointed Darren Selvey as Regional Sales Manager for the Midlands, bringing 37 years’ industry experience as the company expands capacity, invests in talent and supports rising demand for peat-free substrates. Read more - open to all

Darren Selvey is appointed as new Regional Sales Manager for the Midlands

Haskins announces recent CFO appointment

Haskins Garden Centres has appointed Wendy Axford as its new Chief Financial Officer to lead the company’s long-term strategy and transformation. Read more - open to all

 Wendy Axford, Chief Financial Officer at Haskins

Google leader to speak on AI at 2026 GCA Conference

Edoardo Bortolato, a senior member of Google’s EMEA leadership team, will speak on the potential of AI in retail at the Garden Centre Association’s 2026 Conference at Carden Park, Chester. Read more - open to all

Edoardo Bortolato to speak at the GCA’s 2026 conference

Bents celebrates new Board member

Bents Garden & Home is planning for the future and has announced the promotion of Jo Derbyshire to Finance Director. Read more - open to all

Jo Derbyshire becomes finance director at Bents

Perrywood opens £8.5m Garden Centre at Sudbury

This month Perrywood Garden Centres has opened its brand new £8.5 million garden centre in Sudbury, Suffolk.  It expects turnover to increase by a third in the next year to around £6m. Read more - members only

Plant Canopy

Pravin Patel retires after nearly four decades at Premier Decorations

Pravin Patel has retired from his role at Premier Decorations Limited after 37 years with the company. Read more - open to all

Pravin Patel

James Romaine joins Fallen Fruits sales team

Fallen Fruits has appointed James Romaine as Area Sales Manager for the East Midlands and North East, strengthening its sales team with extensive garden and wild bird care experience. Read more - open to all

James Romaine is the new Area Sales Manager for the East Midlands and North East

LBS appoints new area sales manager

LBS Horticulture Ltd, the market leading distributor with 50 years' experience in the UK, is thrilled to appoint Andy Judd as its new Area Sales Manager. Read more - open to all

Andy Judd (L) and Richard Barker

Colegrave Seabrook Foundation appoints two new trustees

The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation has appointed two new trustees, strengthening its support of education and career development within horticulture. Read more - open to all

Stax strengthens sales team with new appointment

Stax is pleased to announce the appointment of Amy Clements as sales representative for Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas, effective January 2026.
Read more - open to all

Amy Clements

New appointments as APAC expands into UK garden centre market

APAC expands into the garden centre market, appointing Hannah Shoesmith as Head of Sales. In addition former Crest MD, Nick Davies, has been brought in to help. Read more - open to all

Hannah Shoesmith

Bees Seeds appoints Ian Laughton as new Head of Sales

Blackburn based Bees Seeds is delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Laughton as its new Head of Sales. Ian joins the business with a strong background in commercial leadership, category strategy, and retail growth.
Read more - open to all

HTA celebrates WorldSkills UK Landscaping and Horticulture winners

The HTA and its Association of Professional Landscapers congratulate the winners of the 2025 WorldSkills UK National Finals in Landscaping and Horticulture, recognising outstanding young talent and celebrating excellence across the sector.

Read more - open to all

Greenfingers Charity welcomes six new garden ambassadors

Greenfingers Charity has appointed six new Garden Ambassadors to support the long-term care of hospice gardens, strengthening its nationwide programme and helping ensure therapeutic spaces remain nurturing, accessible and beautifully maintained year-round. Read more - open to all

New apprentices at Bransford Webbs

The Bransford Webbs Plant Company are proud to announce three new apprentices have recently started their placements with the nursery, on a two-year scheme in conjunction with Pershore College, leading to a Level 3 Crop Technician Qualification. Read more - open to all

New Group Health, Safety & Facilities Manager for Squires

Squire’s Garden Centres has named Matt Tanner as its new Group Health, Safety & Facilities Manager, overseeing this vital function across the company. Read more - open to all

Matt Tanner, Health, Safety & Facilities Manager, Squire’s Garden Centres

Darren Hawkes to speak at the APL Awards 2026

Renowned garden designer Darren Hawkes joins the APL Awards 2026 as a keynote speaker, inspiring finalists with his creativity, experience, and award-winning projects in landscape design and horticultural excellence. Read more - open to all

Award-winning garden designer Darren Hawkes

Westland appoints new Technical Director

Westland Horticulture, home to market leading brands such as Jack’s Magic, Boost, Resolva, Peckish, and Sinclair Professional, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Colum Donnelly as its new Technical Director. Read more - open to all

Colum Donnelly - Westland Technical Director

Per Klemm Named Germany’s ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ at TASPO Awards

Selecta one CEO, Per Klemm, wins TASPO’s ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ for leadership, innovation, and sustainable growth in the ornamental plant industry. Read more - members only

Society of Garden Designers announces 2025 Fellowships

The Society of Garden + Landscape Designers (SGLD) has announced its 2025 Fellowships, honouring six leading figures in the profession for their outstanding contributions to garden and landscape design. Read more - open to all

Colegrave Seabrook Foundation appoints Stuart Lowen as New Chair 

The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, the UK’s only registered charity dedicated to supporting students in horticulture and ornamental plant production, has announced Stuart Lowen as its new Chair of Trustees. Read more - open to all

Stuart Lowen takes over from Jeff Colegrave

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