YPHA completes first leadership programme and looks ahead to a second
The Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA) has successfully completed its first-ever Management Development Programme, with a nine-day residential course designed to support and inspire the next generation of leaders in horticulture.
The programme was delivered by leadership specialist Lindsay Muir of Cedar Associates and took place over three residential blocks. It combined classroom learning with practical exercises, teamwork and real-world leadership development.
Delegates came from a wide range of horticultural businesses, including Hillier, Cook’s Garden Centre, GrowTropicals and Kerley & Co. Sessions covered core leadership skills, different management styles and the value of peer learning and networking.
During the final residential block, delegates gave presentations showing how they are already using what they learned in their day-to-day roles and within YPHA.
Hannah Cook of Cook’s Garden Centre described the programme as “a genuinely transformative and eye‑opening experience.” She added, “Coming from a small family business, I wouldn’t normally have access to something like this. I’ve come away with greater confidence, a clearer sense of direction in my role, and relationships that will last well beyond the course.”
The programme ended with a celebration dinner, sponsored by the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation. Stuart Lowen from the Foundation praised the delegates, saying, “The energy, enthusiasm and commitment in the room was outstanding, and every one of the 12 delegates is a credit to their business.”
Making leadership training accessible
Accessibility was a key focus throughout the programme. Thanks to industry support, 75% of the course fees were subsidised. Funding came from the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and proceeds from YPHA’s Launch Success Challenge, with several places reserved for people who might not otherwise have access to formal leadership training.
What’s next?
Following the success of the first programme, YPHA plans to launch a second Management Development Programme. The organisation is now looking for sponsors to help keep the course affordable and extend its reach to even more young people in the industry.
Anyone interested in supporting the next programme is encouraged to contact the YPHA Committee at admin@ypha.org.uk.
Programme delegates
|
Delegate |
Company |
|
Natalie Boynton |
Happy Plants |
|
Mollie Higginson |
New Leaf Plants |
|
Abigail Stocker |
Klondyke |
|
Liam Cleary |
Old Railway Line Garden Centre |
|
Jeremy Costello |
HTA |
|
Hannah Cook |
Cook’s Garden Centre |
|
Annabelle Hartley |
Hartley’s Nurseries |
|
Otto Mercer |
Grow Tropical |
|
Edward Wilderspin |
Kerley & Co |
|
Ryan Hewett |
Hillier Nurseries |
|
Liam Cowdery |
Secret Garden Centre |
|
Nick Wynn |
Fron Goch Garden Centre |