Haskins promotes long-standing staff member to Operations Director

Ben Harrison has been promoted to Operations Director of Haskins Garden Centres after 12 years with the family business. Read more - open to all

Brett Avery can no longer be HTA President

HTA vice president, Brett Avery, will no longer be eligible to become President on Oct 7th as he is to leave Farplants and the sector at the end of the year. Read more - open to all

Brett Avery

GCA welcomes 10 new members in 2021

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has seen a number of new members join in 2021 – with 10 signing up so far this year (2021). Read more - open to all

New GCA member Squire's Garden Centre Frensham

A celebration of Eddie Topping's Life

There will be a celebration of his Life. St Lawrence’s Church, Barton at 3.30pm.  All are very welcome. Read more - open to all

Founder and Managing Director retires

Borge Leth, founder of Alexander Rose, retires after 27 years at Alexander Rose.  Read more - open to all

Jan Vejsholt has been appointed as the new Managing Director at Alexander Rose

Derek Jarman to become BPOA chairman designate

Following a BPOA meeting this week, Derek Jarman has been co-opted as a member and will become chairman designate, his position being confirmed at the AGM in January. Read more - open to all

Derek Jarman

Four Oaks announces death of Pat Coutts

Four Oaks Trade Show has announced the death of Pat Coutts, who led the event across 5 decades, at the age of 76. Read more - open to all

Pat Coutts

Colin Squire awarded by Rose Society UK

Colin Squire OBE, Chairman Emeritus of Squire’s Garden Centres, has been awarded the prestigious Dean Hole Medal by The Rose Society UK in recognition of his work with and love of roses. Read more - open to all

Peter Seabrook, Ray Martin, Colin Squire, John Anthony

New commercial lead for AMES

With a goal of £150million revenue within 3 years, AMES UK has ambitious growth plans for the future. Driving the business to achieve this target is their recently appointed Commercial Director, Nick Jones for the integrated business brands; Kelkay, La Hacienda and Apta. Read more - open to all

JDA welcome a new member to the team

JDA, which has been servicing the garden centre industry for 10 years, would now like to welcome Matthew van der Linde to the team.  Read more - open to all

Matthew van der Linde

Green-tech takes Supplier and Service Provider category title at ProLandscaper Business Awards

Leading landscaping supplier Green-tech has been named as the Supplier and Service Provider in the 2021 Pro Landscaper Business Awards. Read more - open to all

The ProLandscaper Awards plague has made it back to Green-tech HQ

Steve Nicholls recognised for 25 years of committed service

Blue Diamond MD, Alan Roper, says congratulations and well done to the general manager at Newbridge Nurseries, Steve Nicholls, who is celebrating 25 years of service. Read more - open to all

Alan Roper congratulates Steve Nicholls

New manager at Squire's Garden Centre in Chertsey

Rupert Sleight has been appointed Garden Centre Manager at Squire’s in Chertsey. Read more - open to all

Rupert Sleight - Garden Centre Manager Squire's Chertsey

New sales director appointment for AMES UK

AMES UK appoint a new sales director for multiples business. Rob Parker will lead the 17-strong team driving business acquisition and growth in the Grocery, DIY, High Street, Export and Online channels. Read more - open to all

Rob Parker

Syngenta Flowers appoints a new Head of Sales Netherlands and Belgium

Syngenta Flowers appointed Edwin Zuidgeest as Head of Sales for the Netherlands and Belgium. Read more - open to all

RHS director general Sue Biggs to retire next June

Sue Biggs CBE will retire as Director General of The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in June 2022 after 11 years. Read more - open to all

Sue Biggs, RHS director general

Founder of Wildlife World hands over to Mark Pitman

Norman Sellers who started Wildlife World in the 1990’s is stepping back to become non-exec chairman.  The new managing director is Mark Pitman. Read more - open to all

Norman Sellers

Key appointment in AMES UK business integration plans

The challenges in bringing full integration to four separate and thriving businesses is what excited Kiran Patel about the role of IT Director at AMES UK. Read more - open to all

Kiran Patel - IT Director

New Commercial Director for Hozelock UK

Hozelock, Britain’s leading watering expert, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Bird as Commercial Director. Read more - open to all

 Alan Bird, Commercial Director

Eddie Topping UPDATED

Eddie Topping, founder of Barton Grange, passed away on Monday evening at the age of 89, with his family at his side. Eddie devoted his life to the horticultural industry and charitable causes in the local area. Read more - open to all

Eddie Topping

James Worby Agencies scoop award as Garland sales agent

In only its second year as a Garland Products sales agent, James Worby Agencies has scooped the Garland Products coveted ‘Sales Agent of the Year’ award.  Read more - open to all

James Worby (R) & ‘Sales Agent of the Year’ award with Mark Dedman.

Antony Harker returns as a supplier of aggregates and garden products

Altico Garden Products will be a major talking point at Glee.  It is the vehicle for the return of Antony Harker and family as a supplier of  aggregates and garden products to garden centres. Read more - members only

Antony Harker

New Director for Langlands Garden Centres

Langlands Nurseries Ltd is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Daniel Lawton as Director. Dan has started his new role on the 1st of August 2021 and is bringing over 18 years of industry experience into the business. Read more - open to all

Mr D Lawton (left) and Mr J Ducker

Broil King appoints new sales merchandiser

Broil King announce the appointment of James Leach as their new Sales Merchandiser to support the Broil King sales team and the stockist network in the UK. Read more - open to all

James Leach

Congratulations to Alan Blomfield from Worcester

Congratulations to Alan Blomfield from Worcester Garden Centre who celebrated his 50 year work anniversary on Sunday 1st August 2021. Read more - open to all

Whartons Rosie Ramble raises over £2,000 for Greenfingers

On Sunday 1st August the office team at Whartons Garden Roses undertook a 10 mile sponsored walk around the roses fields to raise funds for Greenfingers. Read more - open to all

Zest 4 Leisure raises over £8,000 for MacMillan in 24 hour event

Outdoor garden furniture, wooden products and decorative garden structure specialist, Zest 4 Leisure has completed a 24-hour run / walk charity challenge, raising over £8,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Read more - open to all

Two new non-exec directors for Squire's

Squire’s Garden Centres has appointed two new non-executive Directors.  Rob Collins recently retired as MD of Waitrose. Tony Perkins was Audit Lead Partner at BDO. Read more - open to all

Chairman Sarah Squire (centre) with new Non-Executive Directors, Rob Collins (l) & Tony Perkins (r)

Garden centre headlines around the country

Headlines around the country include a sale and lease back by Dobbies, controversy about breast feeding in a garden centre and thefts of catalytic converters at Bents. Read more - members only

Gary Plevey, a true gentlemen, with his family

Industry newcomer, Ian Hepburn talks about trading and reducing peat

It was a steep learning curve for Ian Hepburn who joined Evergreen Garden Care a few months ago as marketing director,  having worked previously for Mars.  Read more - members only

Ian Hepburn

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