Alan Roper doesn’t believe that Covid-19 has uncovered a new class of customer, is optimistic about the first half of 2021 but says anyone feeling bullish for the economy in the next 5 years is misguided. Read more - members only

Congratulations to Mollie Higginson who has joined the HTA Council as the Representative for the West Midlands region.  Read more - open to all

Char-Broil is delighted to announce that Luke Hopkins, formerly of Landmann BBQ, joins Char-Broil UK as National Sales Manager. Read more - open to all

Brett Avery, managing director of Farplants, is to join the HTA Board as Vice-President. Read more - open to all

Horticulture graduate Georgia Gilbert has joined the John Chambers team as a Technical Wildflower Sales advisor. Read more - open to all

The Midland Regional Growers Apprentice of the Year was awarded last week at Pershore College, and was won by Bransford Webbs apprentice Isobel Watson. Isobel, who is in the second year of her apprenticeship scheme. Read more - open to all

After working closely with the potting on and growing of hardy nursery stock Provender Nurseries are delighted to have taken on two Hadlow College students on a part-time basis. Read more - open to all

GIMA has announced the election of Simon McArdle of Westland Horticulture as GIMA President, following its rescheduled AGM held on Friday 10th July, 2020. Read more - open to all

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced the appointment of three new board members as non-executive directors: Jane Lawler, Lawler Associates; Vicky Nuttall, The Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Association (GIMA); and Ken White, Frosts Landscape Construction. Read more - open to all

Today, Syngenta Flowers announces that Michael Kester will retire at the end of 2020 after 42 years at Syngenta. Mark Schermer is appointed as his successor as global head of Syngenta Flowers from September 1, 2020. Read more - open to all

Mark Gregory and his 2018 Welcome to Yorkshire Chelsea garden has been crowned the winner of the BBC People’s Choice Award for Garden of the Decade. Read more - open to all

The Parasene brand has been bought by a former employee, John Cartwright, the owner of Fireside Products Ltd. Read more - members only

Multi award-winning garden designer, Mark Gregory, has been given the title of Vice President of The Yorkshire Society, following in the footsteps of Sir Michael Parkinson, Sir Geoffrey Boycott and the Archbishop of York to name just a few.   Read more - open to all

Gill Ormrod has announced that she will be leaving the HTA at the end of the month after 12 years with the association. Read more - open to all

Bridget McIntyre, who became chairman of Notcutts last month, has become High Sheriff of Suffolk for the year from April. Read more - open to all

Horticulture students have received scholarships from the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) this year, with more to follow. Read more - open to all

One of the biggest influences on UK and world garden centre design, Ernest Wertheim has died at the age of 100. Read more - open to all

Landmann have appointed a new Key Account manager to manage the UK sales organisation. John Taylor who was previously a KAM at Fiskars joins Landmann with immediate effect. Read more - open to all

Keith Weed appointed as the new RHS President seeks to accelerate the positive impact of gardening on our lives, society and the environment. Read more - open to all

JDA have been in business now for nearly 10 years, predominately selling / supplying the garden centre industry with giftware, sundries and quirky unique ranges, both classic and contemporary. Read more - open to all

Jack Whiteley, Chairman and CEO of Glencrest Seatex the home for Katie Blake Outdoor Furniture, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Sales Representatives. Read more - open to all

Syngenta Flowers announces the appointment of Leendert Arkenbout as Head of Operations EAME for young plants and cuttings effective September 1. Read more - open to all

The Duchess of Cambridge bought plants at Fakenham Garden Centre last week for a new garden at a Norfolk children's hospice.  Plans are also underway for an imaginative space created by Greenfingers. Read more - open to all

Fallen Fruits are pleased to say, Neil Cochrane has joined the team as the new sales agent for Scotland

Andy Whelan has announced the launch of Andy Whelan Business Consultancy with its new website, working closely with MorePeople. Read more - open to all

How do you keep a museum afloat in the treacherous waters of the coronavirus lockdown? Garden Museum Director Christopher Woodward is undertaking a 50 mile sponsored swim to save the Museum. Read more - open to all

The widely known and well-liked grower and nursery manager, Trevor Wellington, has sadly died aged 73. Trevor contributed much to the growth of Highfield Garden World until his retirement in 2010. Read more - open to all

Carol Paris has become CEO of Rosebourne as Neville Prest stands down and becomes a non-executive director. Read more - open to all

Hozelock announces the appointment of John Grayson as Commercial Director for UK and Ireland, Scandinavia and Southern Hemisphere. Read more - open to all

TV gardening personality, David Domoney, has recently been confirmed as the Greenfingers Charity’s newest Patron.  The role will see David support the charity’s work in building magical and therapeutic gardens for life-limited children in hospices across the country. Read more - open to all