James Clark to leave the HTA

HTA has announced that its director of policy and communications, James Clark, is to leave after almost three years. Recruitment starts for his successor. Read more - open to all

James Clark

Evergreen make supply chain and operations changes

Evergreen Garden Care has made some key changes internally to the Leadership Team and the roles that manage both Supply Chain and Sales. Read more - open to all

Andy Williams - interim Head of Sales

Dobbies CFO director appointment is terminated

Company House reports the Termination of appointment of Lynne Gilder as a director on 8 March 2022.  Lynne was the chief financial officer of Dobbies Garden Centre Ltd and the group. Read more - members only

New Finance Director at QD Group

Family-owned discount retailer QD – QualityDiscounts.com, has appointed a new finance director, following the retirement of Graham Moxon. Read more - open to all

Peter Fairley

Garden Centre sales up 22% on pre-Covid levels

GCA figures for show sales for January were +22% ahead of pre-pandemic 2020 with outdoor leisure, farm shops and houseplants forging ahead. Read more - members only

January displays at Castle Gardens, Sherborne

Wyevale Nurseries celebrates five years of successful youth promotion

One of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries is celebrating half a decade of success within its inhouse apprenticeships and trainee manager programmes this month (February 2022). Read more - open to all

Sam Lloyd, Potting Shed Team Leader and Cian Lynch, Amenity Sales Executive at Wyevale Nurseries

Arrangements for Peter Seabrook's funeral

Friends from horticulture will wear a flower in their button hole for the funeral of Peter Seabrook on Thursday 24th February.  Numbers are limited, so advanced notice is important if you wish to attend.

Read more - open to all

New Chairman and chairman elect at the GCA

Tammy Woodhouse was named the GCA’s Chairman for 2022 – 23 with Will Blake becoming Chairman Elect, during its virtual AGM meeting, which took place on February 10. Read more - open to all

 Mike Burks, new , Tammy Woodhouse and Will Blake.

Char-Broil new team appointment

Due to the continued growth of the brand and a boom in sales for its highly-rated BBQ grills, Char-Broil has appointed Daniel Grundy as its new Sales Representative for UK & Ireland. Read more - open to all

Daniel Grundy as its new Sales Representative for UK & Ireland

Evergreen Garden Care grows sales in the UK

Evergreen Garden Care grows sales but warns of inflation and some product shortages, as 2021 results are published. Read more - members only

Mark Portman

Geoff Caesar joins Allensmore Nurseries

Geoff Caesar has recently joined Allensmore Nurseries as business development director. Read more - open to all

Geoff Caesar

Promotions at the HTA

David Denny has become HTA Director of Research & Insights while Marin Simmons will become Head of Horticulture leaving a vacancy for a new HTA director of Membership. Read more - open to all

Dave Denny

Tong trebles food preparation space for its restaurants

The West Yorkshire Garden Centre has invested significantly to treble The food preparation area for its restaurants. Read more - open to all

Colin Porter, Vanessa Wright, Parbjota Rhoud, John Igo and Cath Westmoreland

New Head of Sales and team expansion at Hartman

Increasing its headcount by over 40%, Hartman has invested in all areas of the business.  The most senior appointment at Hartman is Head of Sales – David Cotgrave. Read more - open to all

New Head of Sales – David Cotgrave

Darlac appoints Damian McEvoy as Technical Lead

Darlac, the cutting tools experts, are delighted to announce the appointment of Damian McEvoy as Technical Lead to strengthen the firm’s in-house product development capability. Read more - open to all

Richard Pyrah is commercial director of Altico

Having invested more than £6m since acquisition in May 2021, Altico MD, Antony Harker has invested further with the senior team appointment of Richard Pyrah as Commercial Director. Read more - open to all

New sales agents appointed for Meadow View Stone

Meadow View Stone, the leading supplier of decorative aggregates and paving, are delighted to further strengthen their team with the appointment of two new Sales Agents. Read more - open to all

Barry Scott - Scotland

The next Director General of the RHS is named

Clare Matterson CBE will be the next Director General of the RHS, the UK’s largest gardening charity. Clare, currently Executive Director, Engagement at the Natural History Museum (NHM), will join the RHS on Monday 9 May 2022. Read more - open to all

Clare Matterson CBE

Exciting growth kickstarts 2022 for Sipcam Home & Garden

Following a period of range expansions and updates, Sipcam Home & Garden has further boosted its offering to the garden retail market with a bigger team and new offices to facilitate exciting future growth opportunities. Read more - open to all

Leah Monteath

Steve Morgan completes the Doddie Cup 500 raising £28,500

Zest MD, Steve Morgan, has raised £28,500 for motor neurone research by completing the Doddie Cup 500 as part of a team of four former rugby players. Read more - open to all

Steve Morgan is 2nd from right

Barton Grange has done it once again!

At a virtual awards presentation held on 15th February 2022, Barton Grange Garden Centre was announced as the winner of the ‘Destination Garden Centre of the Year’ award. Read more - open to all

Guy Topping with Tammy Woodhouse

Gardena continues to expand its sales team to support growth

After increasing demand GARDENA UK is expanding the sales team to support growth within the garden centre industry. Read more - open to all

Tom Lay, based in Ferndown, Dorset

Steve Morgan's epic cycle ride for Doddie Weir

Managing Director of Zest, Steve Morgan, is embarking on an epic cycle challenge – the Doddie Cup 500 with a team of fellow ex-rugby players,  Read more - open to all

Doddie Weir

Garden centres making the local headlines

Local news headlines include tributes to the owners of Brookfields Garden Centre, an otter raiding Otter Nurseries, approval for a new Sunderland garden centre, an acquisition by Kybotech and developments at Newbridge Nurseries. Read more - members only

Highfield Garden world's Greenway family with some of their planet-friendly products

“You are going to be the saviours of the horticulture industry”

The RHS rolled out the red carpet yesterday to the YPHA, a vibrant new group for young horticulturists.  Sue Biggs told them, “You are going to be the saviours of the horticulture industry.” Read more - open to all

The Committee: Liam, Lilidh, Mollie, Natalie and Abi.  All photos: Jonathan at Ginger Horticulture

SBM expands UK marketing team as part of its 2022 growth plans

SBM Life Science has expanded its UK marketing team as part of its strategy for growth within the industry, with the appointment of a new dedicated product manager. Read more - open to all

Calls to support Peter Seabrook’s legacy at Floral Fantasia

An industry group is fundraising to secure the future of Floral Fantasia at RHS Hyde Hall, developed, funded and cared for by the late Peter Seabrook. Read more - open to all

Richard Harding dies peacefully at home

It is with great sadness that the Four Oaks family announces the death of owner Richard Harding age 77. Richard passed away peacefully at home last night. Read more - open to all

Richard Harding

VegTrug announce the promotion of Operations Director

VegTrug are very pleased to announce the promotion of Richard Diaper to Operations Director with effect from January 1st 2022.
Read more - open to all

Richard Diaper, Operations Director

Peter Seabrook has died, suddenly

Peter Seabrook, MBE, died suddenly on Friday of a heart attack.  At 86 he was campaigning for UK growers till the end. Read more - open to all

Peter Seabrook.  photo: Howard Walker

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive