Notcutts invests in Mental Health First Aid training

On World Mental Health Day (10 October 2024), Notcutts is celebrating its commitment to wellbeing after 25 colleagues have successfully qualified as Mental Health First Aiders this year. Read more - open to all

Amy Fuller, Restaurant Manager; Ali Davis, colleague; and Stuart Blight, General Manager at Notcutts

BBC presenter Marian Foster wins special award for North East horticulture work

The Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s Northern Branch Commendation for 2024 has been awarded to the North East broadcaster Marian Foster. 

  Read more - open to all

Photo credit: Marian Foster/BBC

James Webster is named as one of The Elite ProLandscaper 30 under 30

Green-tech is delighted to announce that James Webster, one of their dedicated Account Managers, has been named a winner of Pro Landscaper's prestigious ‘30 Under 30 – The Next Generation’ initiative. Read more - open to all

James Webster and Kris Nellist

Glee’s 50-year heroes are revealed

As Glee marked its monumental 50th anniversary this week, its 50-year heroes have been revealed. Read more - open to all

Departing HTA President talks of the challenges ahead

Retiring HTA President Alan Down gives a frank assessment of the achievements and challenges facing environmental horticulture and the Association. Read more - members only

Retiring HTA President, Alan Down

Bionema appoints Stephen Ford as new Chief Technology Officer

Bionema Group Ltd, winner of King Awards in Innovation, a leading biocontrol technology developer specialising in sustainable biopesticides, biostimulants, and biofertilisers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Ford as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Read more - open to all

Stephen Ford, Chief Technology Officer for Bionema

The pioneers behind Floral Fantasia

Plant pioneers gather at Floral Fantasia, the only independent UK trial grounds for bedding plants and perennials, originally championed by the late Peter Seabrook.  Read more - members only

The Pioneers behind Floral Fantasia  See text for names.

Notcutts creates two new executive directors

Notcutts appoints a new Trading Director and a new Operations & Sustainability Director from within as the retirement of Graham Walker is announced. Read more - open to all

Yvonne Archibald and Chris Holt

Ian Simpson

The funeral of Ian Simpson, a formidable garden centre manager,  was held last week attended by his family and former colleagues from Kennedys Garden Centres.  Read more - open to all

Choice Marketing appoint a new Group Services Coordinator

Choice Marketing, the UK’s leading Buying and Marketing Group for independent garden centres, is delighted to announce the appointment of Kate Stenner as its new Group Services Coordinator. Read more - open to all

Kate Stenner Choice Marketing's new Group Services Coordinator

Yorkshire garden centre group creates new roles to support growth 

A Bradford headquartered garden centre group has created three new roles to support growth at its six sites. Read more - open to all

Steph Harrison, Thomas Waller and Lisa Passant

Two new additions to Trans-Continental Group’s sales team

Following four new additions, and the launch of their Spring Summer 2025 Outdoor Living Collections, Trans-Continental Group have now announced they have increased their Sales Team with another two new team members. Read more - open to all

Emma Murray

Haskins barista goes for gold at Olympic Games Paris 2024

Haskins supervisor, Michaela Wilson, will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity working at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the end of July as part of an elite team of Costa Coffee baristas. Read more - open to all

YPHA teams discover their Launch Success challenge

YPHA’s students are divided into teams to compete for the right to launch a new and yet to be named Begonia.  Read the reports by two of them. Read more - open to all

Long service medals at Morley Nurseries

Five members of staff at Morley Nurseries have reached the impressive milestone of 40 plus year of service. Read more - open to all

WBF opens nominations for new Board of Directors

The World BioProtection Forum (WBF) is currently accepting nominations for the next President, Vice President, and Treasurer positions, with the current leadership nearing the end of their tenure. Read more - open to all

New director of spoga+gafa

Claudia Maurer is to succeed Stefan Lohrberg as Director of spoga+gafa on 1 November 2024. Read more - open to all

Claudia Maurer, director spoga+gafa

Kersten Catella joins Wyevale Nurseries as Sales & Marketing Director

Well-known and highly respected horticultural industry professional Kersten Catella has joined Hereford-based Wyevale Nurseries as its Sales and Marketing Director. Read more - open to all

BHETA appoints Steve Edwards sector manager for DIY and garden

BHETA has appointed Steve Edwards as its new DIY Sector Manager for Home Improvement and Garden.  His role will be to support existing members with added value initiatives in the home and garden markets, as well as building the membership base through recruitment. Read more - open to all

Steve Edwards

GIMA welcomes Tony Kersey as new Membership Ambassador

GIMA is excited to announce that Tony Kersey will be joining the organisation as its new Membership Ambassador, beginning in September. Read more - open to all

Tony Kersey

Holland & Barrett opens first garden centre concession

Holland & Barrett has opened its first garden centre concession as a trial last week at Gates in Leicestershire.  A second is to follow. Read more - members only

Holland & Barrett at Gates Garden Centre

YPHA teams separate for masterclasses

Competing YPHA Teams visit British Garden Centres Studley Garden Centre to finalise design briefs for new begonia variety. Read more - open to all

See Text for delegate names

New area sales team structure at Fallen Fruits

Fallen Fruits are excited to announce that the final piece to their area sales team has now been put into place. Read more - open to all

Pictured in their retail showroom L-r: Neil Bunyan, Robert Greener, Jon Buckwell and Emmi Moules

Leading AI expert Dr Daniel Hulme to share insights at Horticulture, the Conference

Anticipation is building for Horticulture, the Conference, as the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) announces Dr Daniel Hulme, a renowned expert in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies as a featured speaker at the event on 25 September 2024, at the ICC Birmingham. Read more - open to all

Dr Daniel Hulme

Mike Mills joins Henry Bell Wild Bird Care

Henry Bell Wild Bird Care welcomes Mike Mills to its national network of sales agents, representing the brand across Kent and East and West Sussex, with sole responsibility for garden centre and country store customers in the region. Read more - open to all

Henry Bell Wild Bird Care welcomes Mike Mills

Meadow View Stone introduce a new sales agent for the South West

Meadow View Stone is delighted to introduce Spencer Goodall to our team. Spencer joins the team as of the 1st August, as the Meadow View sales agent for the South West, covering Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

  Read more - open to all

Spencer Goodall

Hartman Outdoor Products UK Ltd announces senior management team restructure

Hartman Outdoor Products UK Ltd announces key UK leadership changes to support growth and operational excellence across the business.

  Read more - open to all

YPHA meets unnamed Begonia, ready for them to launch

YPHA members on the first Launch Success Challenge travelled to Holland, to Floramedia and BeekenKamp Plants as they prepare to name and introduce to the market a new Begonia. Read more - open to all

Six packer awards for two Bransford Webbs apprentices

Emmeline Yourston and Samantha Oleksy, from The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, have both been awarded six packer places at this year’s IPPS conference taking place in Guildford, Surrey. Read more - open to all

 Emmeline and Samantha, IPPS 6 packers

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive