Henil Vashi, Robin Tacchi Plants, is AIPH finalist
AIPH has revealed the three Finalists for the Young International Grower of the Year Award, spotlighting exceptional young professionals who are redefining what leadership looks like in modern ornamental horticulture.
Spanning nursery production, floriculture, and high-tech greenhouse systems, the Finalists reflect the innovation and ambition shaping the next chapter of the industry.
Part of the prestigious International Gower of the Year Awards organised by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), this Award celebrates the next generation of horticultural leaders.
Candidates were members of Jungle Talks’ Floriculture Pro Manager Mastercourse, which connects the next generation with current industry leaders.
The 2026 Finalists are:
Henil Vashi - Horticultural Advisor, Robin Tacchi Plants — United Kingdom
At Robin Tacchi Plants, Henil Vashi advises on large-scale ornamental plant production across multiple nursery sites, overseeing more than one million plants annually. His role spans crop production, propagation, and detailed crop monitoring, with a strong focus on integrated pest management, biosecurity, and staff development.
Henil has played a key role in advancing sustainable production practices, including the successful introduction of peat-reduced and peat-free growing substrates, achieving a 30% reduction in peat use while improving crop quality.
Tatiana de German Ribon - Chief Executive Officer, Flores La Conchita — Colombia
Tatiana is Chief Executive Officer of Flores La Conchita, where she directs company strategy across production, logistics, sustainability, sales, and international market development. With more than a decade of international leadership experience, she has guided the business through growth in highly competitive global markets.
Cauê Gomes Fogagnoli - Technical Director and Partner, Sítio Kolibri — Brazil
Starting his career with Sítio Kolibri in Brazil as an intern, Cauê has been central to the transformation of the company into a high-tech greenhouse business producing around 50,000 plants per week.
His work focuses on climate control, automation, fertigation, and data-driven decision-making, integrating advanced systems to improve efficiency, consistency, and sustainability. Cauê brings international experience from the USA and places strong emphasis on people development, teamwork, and continuous learning. He has also contributed to innovations that previously earned Sítio Kolibri recognition in the Sustainability category of the AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards in 2022.
Awards announcement
The winner of the Young International Grower of the Year Award will be announced on 27th January 2026 at the IGOTY Awards Ceremony, which brings together growers, industry leaders, and partners from across the global horticultural community to celebrate excellence in ornamental plant production.