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

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

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 3^rd, 2023. Read more - open to all

On the 27^th 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

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

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 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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

SBM Life Science, the group behind the iconic fertiliser brands, Baby Bio® and Phostrogen®, has celebrated a successful season for the company, sharing news of the expansion of its UK sales team and the growth of market shares throughout 2022.  Read more - open to all

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

It has been reported that Tony Stubbs, who joined his parents at Toad Hall Garden Centre, Henley in 1972, has died at the age of 76. Read more - open to all