YPHA next in-person event

The Young People in Horticulture Association are excited to announce 2023’s first in-person event which will be run in conjunction with Coolings Nurseries and Garden Centres. Read more - open to all

Peter Burks moves into the GCA

Peter Burks has taken up his new role as chief executive of the GCA ahead of its annual conference later this month.  He sets out his priorities. Read more - members only

Peter Burks, CEO of the Garden Centre Association

Bents' FD retires after nearly 30 years

Brian Daniels, Bents’ Finance Director who joined the team in 1993 when Ron and his wife Wendy were running the business, retires. Read more - open to all

Wendy and Ron Bent (on screen), Matthew Bent, Katherine Bent, Brian Daniels and Helen Bent

Leadership changes at Evergreen Garden Care

Evergreen Garden Care has announced that Ian Hepburn, marketing director for two years, will be leaving the company with Rich Fisher succeeding him from January 3rd, 2023. Read more - open to all

Rich Fisfer

Alastair Jackson – General Manager – Poplars Garden Centre

On the 27th December Alastair lost his short battle with cancer and died peacefully, at home, surrounded by his family. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. Read more - open to all

Alastair Jackson

The headlines that made 2022 unique - a round-up

2022 was dominated by the recovery from the distortions to trade caused by Covid. It was a year of acquisitions. There were some game changers and sadly we lost some leading characters. Read more - open to all

The YPHA - a game changer for young people in horticulture

Gavin Cooper of Prior Park has died, suddenly

Gavin Cooper who was general manager of Prior Park Garden and Pet Centre has died suddenly and completely unexpectedly. Read more - open to all

Bee Conservation Trust’s founder to create a buzz at upcoming GCA conference

Bee ecologist and founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust Dave Goulson will share his expertise on sustainability at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference in Blackburn in January (January 22 until 25, 2023). Read more - open to all

Bee Ecologist Dave Goulson

Tim swaps L’Oréal for top finance role at Wyevale Nurseries

Tim Fawbert whose previous role was with the French cosmetics giant L’Oréal has joined one of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries as Group Finance Director. Read more - open to all

 Tim Fawbert new Group Finance Director, Wyevale Nurseries

Majestic’s Eliot Barden in final 3 for Young IGOTY

Eliot Barden, the Production and Education Manager for Majestic Trees, is in the final three to become AIPH’s Young International Grower of the Year. Read more - open to all

General Manager at Farplants Sales Ltd appointed as a Director

Farplants Sales Ltd (Farplants) are pleased to announce General Manager, David Salisbury, appointment as a Director. Read more - open to all

David Salisbury, General Manager at Farplants Sales Ltd has been appointed as a Director.

Get ready for the most JUMPERFUL time of the Year 2022!

“Put your Christmas sweater on, it's got to be done” are the words of Christmas crooner, Michael Bublé, and who are we to disagree especially when it is for charity? Read more - open to all

Abigail Stocker and Botd Douglas-Davies with those sweaters

Perennial launches Christmas appeal

In the lead up to Christmas, Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture, is launching an urgent appeal in response to the worst cost of living crisis seen in a generation. Read more - open to all

Young horticulturalist's business devastated by freak tornado

PhD completed, Tobias Lane was building his own horticulture research business in Hampshire.  Now he needs help as his glass houses have been devastated by a freak tornado. Read more - open to all

Adventurer Caspar Craven to deliver talk at annual conference

Garden Centre Association (GCA) members will hear from a serial entrepreneur, former Chief Finance Officer and adventurer on how to achieve ‘big bold goals’ at its annual conference in Blackburn (January 22 until 25, 2023). Read more - open to all

Adventurer Caspar Craven

Stephen Richardson becomes BHETA marketing director

BHETA has promoted its former marketing manager, Stephen Richardson to the newly created role of Marketing Director, making him part of the associations’ executive team.  Read more - open to all

Stephen Richardson

Key growers retire from Hillier Nurseries

Two Hillier Nurseries innovators are retiring. Alan Postill, one of the UK’s greatest plant breeders, and Nursery Manager Dave Hooker, who has worked for Hillier for 43 years. Read more - open to all

Alan Posthill with Robert Hillier

Rising Stars finalists announced

Seven individuals from Garden Centre Association member garden centres have reached the finals of the Rising Stars programme sponsored by Westland Horticulture. Read more - open to all

Mia Crawford from Poundbury Gardens

New chair for the Tillington Group

The Tillington Group has announced that Caroline Owen, Managing Director of Scotsdales Garden Centres, has taken over the chairmanship of the Tillington Group from Dennis Espley. Read more - members only

Caroline Owen

Paul Cooling dies

With great sadness Coolings Nurseries Ltd have announced that Paul Cooling died on the 29th of December having recently suffered a massive stroke. Read more - open to all

Paul Cooling who died on 29th December 2022

MorePeople has appointed MD Richard Hanwell to the main board

MorePeople has appointed MD Richard Hanwell to the main board.  He has become a shareholder. Founder Guy Moreton and CEO Andrew Fitzmaurice make up the remaining shareholding. Read more - open to all

Richard Hanwell

45,000 visas for seasonal workers in horticulture

Daffodil growers recognised as Defra increases by 50% the number of seasonal workers allocated for businesses in edible and ornamental horticulture next year. Read more - members only

Nicholas Saphir re-appointed as Chair of the AHDB

The Government has re-appointed Nicholas Saphir as Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) for one year, with effect from 1 April 2023.  Read more - open to all

Nicholas Saphir

Top economist announced as a key speaker at GCA conference in 2023

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has announced that leading economist Roger Martin-Fagg will be speaking at its 56th annual conference in Blackburn this January (January 22 until 25, 2023). Read more - open to all

Roger Martin-fagg

British Garden Centres names new Group Buying Director

British Garden Centres welcomes Scott McCabe as their Group Buying Director. Scott, with a wealth of industry experience, joins BGC on December 1st.  Read more - open to all

Scott McCabe

Steve Potter celebrates his 50th birthday by donating 50 Christmas trees

Steve Potter celebrates his 50th Birthday by donating 50 Christmas Trees (one for each of his Birthdays!) to The One Love Project Soup Kitchen & Foodbank. Read more - open to all

Peter Burks to become GCA Chief Executive

Former GCA chairman Peter Burks is to become the new CEO of the Garden Centre Association, starting in January. Read more - open to all

Peter Burks

Wilko in talks over £30m urgent cash injection

Last week Wilko eased its financial pressures with a £48m sale and leaseback of its distribution hub. However, The Times reports it is in talks for a further £30m emergency loan. Read more - members only

Become a Perennial Mental Health First Aid Ambassador

Perennial is calling for organisations to become ambassadors and participate in its Mental Health First Aider training programme. As part of the charity’s health and wellbeing focus the programme aims to put more Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace. Read more - open to all

Green-tech announces two winners

Green-tech is celebrating after finding out that two of their team have been named as winners in the Pro Landscaper ‘30 under 30’ - The Next Generation Initiative. Read more - open to all

Arron Grange & Georgia Gilbert

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