HTA appoints Jane Lawler as new President
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has appointed Jane Lawler as its new President, following the Association’s Annual General Meeting at Horticulture: The Conference on 24 September 2026.
Lawler succeeds Will Armitage, who has completed his term as President and will now serve as Immediate Past President. Neil Grant has been appointed Vice President.
Lawler brings almost 40 years of marketing and business development experience across large corporations, investor-funded enterprises and family-owned businesses. She has extensive knowledge of the garden products, DIY, horticultural retail and supply sectors.
She joined the HTA Board as a Non-Executive Director in 2020 and became Vice President in 2024. Through her consultancy work, she continues to advise businesses across a wide range of horticultural and garden product categories.
Commenting on her appointment, Lawler said she was looking forward to the next two years and thanked outgoing President Will Armitage for his contribution to the HTA, describing his tenure as an “historic period of growth and development” for the organisation.
Neil Grant said he was honoured to take on the role of Vice President at what he described as an important time for innovation and progress within the industry. He highlighted the importance of connecting with HTA members and supporting the Association’s policy and public affairs work.
The AGM also saw the appointment of three new Non-Executive Directors to the HTA Board: Rebecca Grant of Joseph Rochford Gardens Ltd, Emma Birkbeck of Fargro Ltd and Nadine Charlton of Homespring Gardens.
The three new Board members bring experience from across the horticultural industry and will contribute to the HTA’s ongoing work, representation and development.
The appointments mark the latest changes to the HTA’s leadership team as the Association continues to represent and support businesses across the UK’s horticulture and environmental horticulture sectors.