The HTA welcomes the announcement today that Owen Paterson MP, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has been appointed as the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Read more - open to all

More shows means more work to be done, hence the addition of two new sales executives: Callum Mellis and Jordan Peters. Read more - open to all

Bosmere Products Ltd is pleased to announce the appointment of Glynn Davis as Key Account Manager. Read more - open to all

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has recently (August 22, 2012) revealed the Best in Area winners for Scotland and Northern Ireland at an awards presentation evening. Read more - open to all

New Era, the Doncaster-based fish food specialist, has appointed a marketing manager with abundant sales and marketing expertise to take full advantage of the company’s latest and impending advances within the aquaculture marketplace. Read more - open to all

The Apple Tree Farm Shop at Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil has walked away with a top accolade at the 2012 Garden Centre Association (GCA) awards. Read more - open to all

Responsible for Gardman’s category management approach to provide optimum product and service to its retail partners is Lisa Blackmore, the new Head of Category Management. Read more - open to all

It has been confirmed that Carol Paris is to follow David Gwyther as Director General of the HTA. See more... Read more - members only

Terry Stannard, the non-executive chairman of Gardman Holdings is leaving the company. In his place, Jonathan Halford, the chairman of Forest Garden joins as a non-executive director. See more... Read more - members only

Lovania Nurseries, based in Preston, took the top honours at The Grower of the Year Awards held in London last night by winning the Ornamental Grower of the Year title. Lovania will go on to represent the UK at the International Grower of the Year Awards. See more... Read more - members only

Malcolm Parkinson has been made an MBE in the New Year Honours for his 27 years as governor at Capel Manor College. In 1990 he shook the garden centre world by launching the ill-fated Gardenstore. See more... Read more - members only

The GCA has named its new CEO. Phil Slinger will step into the shoes of Gillie Westwood, who recently announced that she would retire after January’s conference. See more... Read more - members only

Lord Taylor ripped up his prepared speech at the House of Commons last night and promised he would not let the interests of ‘our industry’ go by default. He backed the Localism Bill and the need for ‘near-market research’. See more... Read more - members only

Philip Evason has left Haskins after 5 years as buying director. He is planning to stay within the garden industry and is looking for opportunities within the sector. See more... Read more - members only

Paris Natar, formerly Chairman and CEO of Gardman, has decided to stand down from his non-executive director post in August this year. See more... Read more - members only

STAFF from one of the UK’s leading suppliers of ethically sourced natural stone landscaping products recently presented a cheque for £1,600 to a charity that creates gardens at children’s hospices nationwide. Read more - open to all

Starting with 7 employees G7 now employ 25 staff.  Those who have been with G7 from the very beginning and still play a key role in the day to day running of the business, include developers Mark Mason and Robert Craig and joint managing directors, Neil Biltcliffe and Keith Lucas.

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the passing away of Nick Romano on 28th August. Nick was a well liked and much respected Sales Agent in the garden industry, based in the South West. Our thoughts are with his daughters and family. Read more - open to all

With effect from 1 September, Hardwick Agencies, run by Jason and Jane Hardwick, will represent Bayer Garden in the South East of England. Read more - open to all

Profitplant has appointed Andre Doorduin as Account Manager U.K. Read more - open to all

Nigel Gaffney is the latest addition to the Hortipak team, employed as Account Manager to grow labelling and POS sales in the North East of England and Ireland. Read more - open to all

Fiskars, leading global supplier of consumer products for the home, garden and outdoors, has today appointed John Grayson as new Managing Director for Fiskars UK. Read more - open to all

A sales assistant, who stole thousands of pounds over several years while operating the till at a garden centre, has been jailed for 8 weeks. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA has started the search for a new Director General – See Jobforum. The new DG will be expected to make it more relevant and more financially robust; and to represent the trade in the political arena. See more... Read more - members only

Andy King, Chief Executive of Notcutts since 2007, is to become a non-executive director at Topps Tiles, the UK's largest tile and wood flooring specialist. See more… Read more - members only

Gardenforum's Review of 2011 tracks the year's trading and events. It also shows the high number of garden centres and nurseries that are investing despite the difficult economy. This review is open for all to read, see more... Read more - open to all

David Gwyther retired from the HTA on Friday and has left the association with immediate effect. See more... Read more - members only

William Notcutt is to leave Notcutts at the end of this month to set up his own agriculture and forestry business. He will resign as deputy chairman of the Notcutts board. See more... Read more - members only

This Friday BBC Gardeners’ World will air at eight o'clock bringing it in direct conflict with Alan Titchmarsh's new Love Your Garden programme. ITV, which has been working with GIMA, attracted twice as many viewers last week. See more... Read more - members only

Peter Williamson, chairman of the Wyevale Nurseries Group, has died suddenly after a short illness. All who knew him are invited to his memorial service on June 1st. See more... Read more - open to all