Louis King appointed to rule London and Kent

Essex-based Louis King has been appointed territory manager for Kent and most of London by Mr Fothergill's. He comes to the Suffolk seedsman from a similar role with Unilever. Prior to this, Louis lived in Sweden for eight years, where he was a semi-professional footballer. Read more - open to all

What is your internal soundtrack saying to you?

Delegates at this month's (January, 2017) Garden Centre Association (GCA) 51st annual conference will be asked what their internal soundtracks are saying to them and how this sits with what they want to achieve. Read more - open to all

Jon Wilks

Bob Hewitt joins Kelkay board

Former chief executive, now non-executive chairman of Klondyke, Bob Hewitt has taken up an additional part-time role as non-executive director of Kelkay. Read more - members only

Anthony Harker and Bob Hewitt

John Cook is new head chef at busy restaurant

Stewarts Garden Centre Restaurant and Coffee shop at Broomhill, near Wimborne has appointed John Cook as their new Head Chef.  Read more - open to all

(From left)  Howard Arnold welcomes John Cook.

High seas adventurer to speak at GCA Conference

One of Britain's most highly regarded sailors and a true adventurer will be giving delegates at the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) annual conference (January, 2017) tips on competitive tenacity and the will to win. Read more - open to all

Pete Goss MBE

Changing of the guard at Stax Birmingham

Stax Trade Centres has announced that Philip Joyce will be joining the team as Branch Manager designate at their Birmingham location. This follows closely with the news that current Branch Manager, David Scully will be retiring next Spring after 25 years loyal service with the company. Read more - open to all

Phil Joyce, Stax Birmingham Branch Manager

2016 - a year of change

2016 saw second tier garden centre chains and independents invest as Wyevale consolidated. Homebase and Argos are sold. The HTA moved offices and moved to become the lead association for all gardening related businesses. Glyphosate, Xylella and the weather made frequent headlines. Scotts and Bayer looked for a way out of distributing consumer garden chemicals. Read our review – open to all. Read more - open to all

Bunnings buys Homebase

Briers working with EFSA on future trends

Briers has stepped up its involvement with EFSA, the European Floral and Lifestyle Product Suppliers Association, with two appointments to key positions within the organisation. Read more - open to all

Jackie Eades

New sales manager joins JFS

A new face has joined the January Furniture Show (Birmingham, NEC 22-25 January 2017) organising team. Read more - open to all

Ed Hubbard

HTA Benevolent Fund appoints Caroline Owen as Trustee

The HTA Benevolent Fund is pleased to announce the appointment of Caroline Owen of Scotsdales to its Board of Trustees following the 2016 Annual General Meeting. Read more - open to all

 Caroline Owen of Scotsdales

Barton Grange and Castle Gardens retain their Xmas crowns

Barton Grange and Castle Gardens have retained their titles as the national winners of the 2016 GCA annual Christmas competition. Read more - members only

Castle Gardens

Ann-Marie Powell appointed a Patron of Greenfingers Charity

Greenfingers Charity is delighted to announce that Ann-Marie Powell has agreed to be a Patron and to promote the fund-raising work needed to create and build therapeutic and peaceful gardens in the grounds of children’s hospices. Read more - open to all

Anne- Marie Powell (right) is welcomed by Chairman John Ashley and Chief Fundraiser Linda Petrons.

Glencrest Seatex appoint new Sales Agent for the South West

Glencrest are proud to announce that Sue Holden and her two Ladies will be joining the sales force representing the company in the South West of England. Read more - open to all

Sue Holden

More internal promotions and new recruits as Kelkay respond to business growth

Following significant business growth, investment in new plant and machinery, Kelkay has now taken a look at the management and staff they need to secure their long term growth plans which has resulted in a number of new key appointments and internal promotions. Read more - open to all

Jonathan Wilson Operations Manager

Hale Events appoints new Accounts & Office Administrator

Hale Events are delighted to announce that Rebecca Thomas has joined the Hale Events team.  Following their acquisition of the Hotel, Catering & Retail Show last year, they now run 5 successful trade shows, and have expanded their staff numbers accordingly. Read more - open to all

Rebecca Thomas

Chairman steps down at Hayloft Plants

After just over three years as Non-Executive Chairman at Hayloft Plants Ltd, Martin Harvey is leaving the specialist multichannel garden plant company, to focus on growing his award-winning Bio-Gard business, which sells a range of waste water treatment products for domestic septic tanks under the Muck Munchers brand. Read more - open to all

Martin Harvey

Glendale Horticulture appoints new Managing Director

Glendale Horticulture is pleased to announce that Laurence Scowen has joined the business in the role of Managing Director, effective from January 2017 Read more - open to all

Laurence Scowen

Phil Burgoyne joins Garland Products/Worth Gardening

Garland Products/Worth Gardening is delighted to welcome Phil Burgoyne to the management team as its new south east and key accounts manager. 35 years garden centre experience will aid company’s continued expansion. Read more - open to all

Phil Burgoyne, Garland/Worth Gardening’s new south east and key accounts manager.

New President for the North of England Horticultural Society

Leading floral designer Jonathan Moseley has been appointed President of the North of England Horticultural Society (NEHS). Read more - open to all

Jonathan Moseley

CBE for Sue Biggs

Sue Biggs, director-general of the Royal Horticultural Society, has been appointed CBE in the New Year Honours list. See other awards. Read more - members only

Sue Biggs CBE

GCA delegates to get ‘fascinating explanations for everyday numbers’

A world-renowned behavioural economist, award-winning Financial Times columnist and BBC broadcaster will be offering delegates at the Garden Centre Association (GCA) annual conference in January (2017) an insight into the economics of daily life. Read more - open to all

Tim Harford

Glee expands team to meet ongoing demand

As Glee 2016 becomes a distant memory the garden retail industry is starting to look ahead to the 2017 show. With exhibitor bookings up 19% year-on-year, the Glee team has expanded to meet growing demand, particularly from international markets.  Read more - open to all

Alix Mariello joins Glee

Geoff raises more than £250 for hospice with tash

A member of staff at one of the UK’s leading nurseries in Hereford has raised £287.43 for a hospice in the area by growing a moustache (December, 2016). Read more - open to all

Alex Polizzi’s Fixer Karl to speak at GCA conference

Retail consultant Karl McKeever who appeared on BBC TV’s ‘Alex Polizzi – The Fixer’ will be speaking at the Garden Centre Association (GCA) annual conference in January (2017). Read more - open to all

Retail consultant Karl McKeever

Apta appoints new national sales manager

Apta, the leading supplier of outdoor planters, is pleased to announce the appointment of Darren Boorman as its new national sales manager. Read more - open to all

Darren Boorman

Crest continues to grow

Crest Garden has announced the appointment of two key sales roles to accelerate the development of the Flopro and Kent & Stowe brands. Read more - open to all

Melanie Dobson (left) and Jacqui Sutcliffe (right).

SBM recruits South East territory manager

Committed to strengthening its collaborative relationship with its garden centre partners SBM Life Science has invested in the appointment of a territory manager - Andy Reffold - for the South East region. Read more - open to all

SBM Life Science has invested in the appointment of a territory manager - Andy Reffold.

New sales team member at Provender Nurseries

Ricky Pestana has joined the Provender Nurseries sales team with a focus on face to face customer sales and advice.  With a background in plant sourcing, garden design and customer service Ricky is a very welcome addition to the team.  Read more - open to all

Ricky Pestana

Bill Stewart to retire after 39 years with Klondyke/Strikes

HR director Bill Stewart will retire from the Klondyke board at the end of the year, when Bob Hewitt steps up to become joint non-executive chairman. Read more - open to all

Bob Hewitt and Bill Stewart

Glencrest Seatex new sales representatives in South West

Glencrest Seatex and Katie Blake Garden Furniture have appointed new sales representatives for the Northern Counties in the South West. Neil Bedford and his team of young Ladies will be visiting customers. Read more - open to all

Neil Bedford

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