Yorkshire Garden Centre Group celebrates 2025 ‘Great by Nature’ graduates
Thirty-four team members from the Yorkshire Garden Centre Group are celebrating the successful completion of the business’s Great by Nature development programme, which identifies and nurtures emerging talent across its sites.
The six-month internal course supports individuals with high potential for growth and builds leadership skills through four learning modules: Understanding Self and Leadership Traits, Emotional Intelligence and Mentoring/Coaching, and Managing the Employee Lifecycle. Participants concluded the programme with a final presentation and reflection session focused on personal learnings and future aspirations.
Organised by People and Culture Business Partner Becki Smith, the initiative is designed to “identify, inform and inspire future leaders.” She said: “We’re very proud of this year’s cohort and have already seen some fantastic outcomes. The aim has been to build confidence, capability and a leadership pipeline for the future.”
Several participants have already progressed into new roles, including Annie Hanson, now Catering Senior Supervisor at Bingley; Jess Reilly, Kitchen Supervisor at Grasshoppers, Tong; Carys Paul, Blooms Supervisor at Tong; Emma Telford, Plant Supervisor at Tingley; and Mel Martin, Hearty’s Supervisor at Otley.
Reflecting on the experience, Mel Martin said: “This programme has given me the tools to lead with confidence and bring out the best in others. I use what I’ve learned every day — from coaching team members to managing busy service periods more effectively.”
Mrs Smith added: “Now in its fourth year, Great by Nature has reached a significant portion of our leadership team. Managers are encouraged to keep the learning alive by modelling the traits of great leaders and supporting their teams’ continued development.”
The Yorkshire Garden Centres group comprises Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley and Pennine Garden Centres, as well as Dean’s York and Scarborough.