APAC expands into the garden centre market, appointing Hannah Shoesmith as Head of Sales. In addition former Crest MD, Nick Davies, has been brought in to help. Read more - open to all

The HTA and its Association of Professional Landscapers congratulate the winners of the 2025 WorldSkills UK National Finals in Landscaping and Horticulture, recognising outstanding young talent and celebrating excellence across the sector.

Greenfingers Charity has appointed six new Garden Ambassadors to support the long-term care of hospice gardens, strengthening its nationwide programme and helping ensure therapeutic spaces remain nurturing, accessible and beautifully maintained year-round. Read more - open to all

The Bransford Webbs Plant Company are proud to announce three new apprentices have recently started their placements with the nursery, on a two-year scheme in conjunction with Pershore College, leading to a Level 3 Crop Technician Qualification. Read more - open to all

Squire’s Garden Centres has named Matt Tanner as its new Group Health, Safety & Facilities Manager, overseeing this vital function across the company. Read more - open to all

Renowned garden designer Darren Hawkes joins the APL Awards 2026 as a keynote speaker, inspiring finalists with his creativity, experience, and award-winning projects in landscape design and horticultural excellence. Read more - open to all

Westland Horticulture, home to market leading brands such as Jack’s Magic, Boost, Resolva, Peckish, and Sinclair Professional, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Colum Donnelly as its new Technical Director. Read more - open to all

Selecta one CEO, Per Klemm, wins TASPO’s ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ for leadership, innovation, and sustainable growth in the ornamental plant industry. Read more - members only

The Society of Garden + Landscape Designers (SGLD) has announced its 2025 Fellowships, honouring six leading figures in the profession for their outstanding contributions to garden and landscape design. Read more - open to all

The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, the UK’s only registered charity dedicated to supporting students in horticulture and ornamental plant production, has announced Stuart Lowen as its new Chair of Trustees. Read more - open to all

Thirty-four team members from Yorkshire Garden Centre Group have completed the 2025 Great by Nature programme — an in-house leadership initiative designed to develop emerging talent and strengthen the group’s future management pipeline. Read more - open to all

Dobbies Garden Centres announces that its CFO, Jonathan Wass, will step down from his role on 12 November 2025 and names his replacement. Read more - open to all

Writer, broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth will deliver a keynote on “The Seven Secrets of Happiness” at the GCA’s 2026 Conference, part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.

The HTA congratulates Baroness Bennett on completing her Industry and Parliament Trust Fellowship in Horticulture after two years of sector visits, recognising her commitment to biodiversity, skills and championing green spaces.

GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, will step down in May 2026, marking the end of a successful 12-year tenure building the influence and effectiveness of the trade association for garden manufacturers. Read more - open to all

HSBC economist Chris Hare will speak at the GCA’s 60th anniversary Annual Conference in January 2026, offering economic insights, inflation forecasts and analysis following the recent budget to garden centre industry delegates. Read more - open to all

The culinary world is mourning the loss of Skye Gyngell, the acclaimed Australian-born chef who rose to prominence as head chef at Petersham Nurseries Café in Richmond. Read more - open to all

Bulrush has appointed Darren Selvey as Regional Sales Manager for the Midlands, bringing 37 years’ industry experience as the company expands capacity, invests in talent and supports rising demand for peat-free substrates. Read more - open to all

Haskins Garden Centres has appointed Wendy Axford as its new Chief Financial Officer to lead the company’s long-term strategy and transformation. Read more - open to all

Edoardo Bortolato, a senior member of Google’s EMEA leadership team, will speak on the potential of AI in retail at the Garden Centre Association’s 2026 Conference at Carden Park, Chester. Read more - open to all

Bents Garden & Home is planning for the future and has announced the promotion of Jo Derbyshire to Finance Director. Read more - open to all

This month Perrywood Garden Centres has opened its brand new £8.5 million garden centre in Sudbury, Suffolk.  It expects turnover to increase by a third in the next year to around £6m. Read more - members only

Pravin Patel has retired from his role at Premier Decorations Limited after 37 years with the company. Read more - open to all

No stranger to innovation in promoting gardening plants and products, Richard Jackson is launching his first ever TikTok LIVE, this Saturday 18th October at 10am. Read more - members only

The HTA has already named three new non-Executive directors who are joining the HTA’s governing board.  What is less well known are the names of the industry stalwarts who are standing down. Read more - open to all

Blue Diamond Garden Centres has secured two major accolades at the prestigious Excellence in Housewares Awards 2025, held at The Royal Lancaster, London. Read more - members only

Mark Butler, UK Field Sales Manager with Vitax since 2017, has been promoted to Director of Sales in recognition of his outstanding contributions and leadership. Read more - open to all

BHETA is restructuring its senior management team from January 2026. Will Jones becomes Exhibition Director for the Exclusively Show, while Stephen Richardson steps up as General Manager, reporting to Executive Chair Andrew Weiss. Read more - open to all