CIH Skills Summit to spotlight horticultural education at Kew
The Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) will bring the sector together at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, on Wednesday 4 November 2026 for the CIH Skills Summit 2026, a one-day event focused on horticultural education, training and workforce development.
Open to employers, educators, training providers, professional horticulturists and everyone connected with the industry, the summit will examine whether current education and skills provision is keeping pace with the changing needs of horticulture.
The programme will consider the skills picture across commercial horticulture, amenity and conservation horticulture, plant health and science, before exploring international perspectives and the future role of industry training, practical skills, national planning and technology.
A closing panel discussion will bring together representatives from education, training and industry to look at how horticultural skills development can be strengthened from college-level learning through to lifelong professional development. CIH says the discussion will help inform its recommendations and next steps.
George Gilchrist, President of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, said the summit comes at a time when the industry is facing significant skills challenges.
“As an industry, we have an amazing breadth of knowledge, skills and talent across the sector. The conference will highlight the critical importance of the profession and focus on ensuring that we have the necessary skills going forward in a dynamic and ever-changing climate.”
Delegates will also have opportunities to network with colleagues from across horticulture and view entries in the Summit’s poster competition. Further programme and speaker announcements are expected in the coming months.
Tickets are now available. To find out more and book, visit: https://cih.whitefuse.net/events/cih-conference-skills-summit-2026.