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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jacob Botting of Myerscough College has been announced as ‘Best in the UK’ in landscaping after winning gold at the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) WorldSkills UK final. Read more

Ken White from Frosts Landscapes was elected as the Chairman at the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) Annual Review meeting which took place at Futurescape at Sandown Racecourse on Tuesday 15 November. Read more

Emma Cooke from Springmount Garden Centre has been voted as the first winner of the Westland Rising Stars in Ireland. Read more

Levina Bromwich has recently started a two-year apprenticeship programme at one of the UK’s leading nurseries based in Hereford. Read more

A member of staff at one of the UK’s leading nurseries in Hereford is this month (November, 2016) growing a moustache in aid of a hospice in the area. Read more

Would you trek to 6000 metres altitude around the world’s third highest mountain in Nepal for Greenfingers Charity? Most would say “unlikely”. Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glencrest the holding company of Katie Blake Garden Furniture are pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Wain to their sales team. Read more

The category buying team at Bonningtons is expanding to meet the needs of the business as it continues to exceed its range expansion and sales growth targets. Read more

Andy McIndoe is to be the expert on a new Vitax Garden World website providing ‘how to’ advice with the aim of sending visitors into local garden centres looking for Vitax products. Read more

As Kelkay embarked on their ambitous brand development and expansion programme this year, the East Yorkshire family-run business was also busily engaged in further strengthening the management team to equip them for the further business growth ahead. Read more

The 5 finalists of the Westland Rising Stars and Garden Centre Association programme have been announced. Read more

Wyevale has confirmed that Colin Hughes, Retail & Operations Director since April 2013, is to leave the group. Read more