Decco appoints Andrew Ballantine as new Chief Operating Officer

Leading home improvement and garden wholesaler, Decco has appointed Andrew Ballantine as its Chief Operating Officer, following the departure of Charlie Lacey to take up a position as Managing Director of the Stearn Electric Company Limited.  The appointment is effective from 1st June 2018. Read more - open to all

Andrew Ballantine

Carol Paris to head Somerton, a new garden centre company

Former HTA chief, Carol Paris has set up Somerton, a new garden centre company that will trade as a franchise of Rosebourne.  Read more - members only

Carol Paris

Hayter and Toro appoint new Marketing Executive

Popular lawn care brands, Hayter and Toro, have appointed a new Marketing Executive, Ashleigh Bradshaw. Previous to her new role, Ashleigh was working at Dorel Juvenile, the world’s leading juvenile products company.  Read more - open to all

Ashleigh Bradshaw, has been appointed as Hayter and Toro’s new Marketing Executive.

Garden centre industry duo sponsored by GCA Trust to go to IGCA Congress

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) Trust has selected Matt Tanner from Squire’s Garden Centres and Jayne Scott from Klondyke to go to this year’s International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) Congress (September, 2018). Read more - open to all

Sarah Squire, Matt Tanner and Martin Breddy.

Daredevil Denise skydives for Princess Alice Hospice

Denise July, an employee at Squire’s Garden Centre in Long Ditton, bravely jumped out of a plane last Saturday 21st April to raise money for Squire’s chosen charity Princess Alice Hospice in Esher. Read more - open to all

Steve Millington leaves Tildenet

Tildenet is looking for a sales and marketing director to look after its portfolio of brands and companies after it announced that Steve Millington is to leave the business. Read more - members only

Steve Millington

Don’t let retailers bully you says the Gamekeeper turned Poacher

Former head of Scotts Miracle-Gro, Martin Breddy, tells how different it is to be a retailer now that he is MD of Squire’s Garden Centres. Read more - members only

Martin Breddy

Smart investment in Supply Chain

Behind every successful operation is a buzzing Supply Chain department, managing the complex supplier relationships and logistics required to ensure our stock levels and customers shelves are kept replenished all year round. Forecasting stock demand is a perennial challenge, especially with the vagaries of the weather! Read more - open to all

Supply chain team

GIMA announces new council

The Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association’s AGM took place on 12th April at Ettington Chase Hotel, Stratford-Upon-Avon, with over 65 members in attendance. Read more - open to all

GIMA Council

Jonathan Halford to run the London Marathon

Jonathan Halford, chairman of both Forest Garden and Gardman, is raising funds for CLIC Sargent by running in the London Marathon. Read more - open to all

Jonathan Halford

DCF invests in the horticulturalists of tomorrow

Six students studying horticulture have been awarded £8,500 worth of scholarships by the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF).   Read more - open to all

Vida Svahnstrom

James Crawford awarded Markham-Colegrave International Scholarship Student

As part of the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) Scholarship season, James Crawford who is currently studying for a BSc in Horticulture at Writtle University College, has been awarded the Markham Colegrave International Scholarship. Read more - open to all

James Crawford

Bord Na Móna Horticulture Announces New Head of Horticulture – Mark Higgins

Mark Higgins has recently taken over the position as Head of Horticulture for Bord Na Móna.  He joins from Hovis Limited where he was General Manager for Hovis Ireland. Read more - open to all

Mark Higgins

Pats celebrates 10 Years

PATS, The pets trade event organised by Impact Exhibitions, celebrated its 25th show in 10 years yesterday at Sandown Park. Read more - open to all

Gordon Thomas and the PATS team

A tribute to John Brookes FSGD MBE

An icon of garden design, it is not an exaggeration to say that John Brookes FSGD MBE has influenced us all as designers. Brookes enjoyed a breathtakingly diverse and broad career from the late 1950’s working until his death last week leading the way forward from traditional to modern garden design.   Read more - open to all

John Brookes FSGD MBE

Introducing new HTA Board members

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced the appointment of Matthew Bent, the Managing Director from Bents Garden & Home near Warrington, to the HTA Board as a non-executive director. Read more - open to all

Matthew Bent

Durstons’ Dan takes up a position on GIMA Council

Director and National Sales Manager, Dan Durston of Durston Garden Products is one of three new Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association (GIMA) council members appointed at last months AGM held  in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Read more - open to all

Zest 4 Leisure trio celebrate marathon success

Three intrepid runners from Zest 4 Leisure, a leading trade supplier of quality timber garden products including furniture, arches, arbours and fencing, are celebrating after completing the London Marathon in the hottest conditions on record. Read more - open to all

L-r: Andrew Baker, Steve Morgan and John Vaughan.

New sales representative for Glencrest Seatex and Katie Blake

Anna who has been working in our offices for some time now has always been keen to become a sales representative and after seeing her performance at the last SOLEX exhibition where she helped man the stand we agree. Anna knows the products in some depth and is able to advise customers and help with any issues on a face to face basis. Read more - open to all

Yorkshire horticulturalist sees life’s work immortalised with statue in his honour

BBC Look North’s Harry Gration this week helped unveil a statue commemorating horticulturalist John Richardson’s more than 60 years’ service to the industry. Read more - open to all

Johnsons of Whixley chairman John Richardson, BBC Look North’s Harry Gration and the statue.

Zest 4 Leisure power trio to take on the London Marathon in the name of charity

An inspirational trio from Zest 4 Leisure, a leading trade supplier of quality timber garden products including furniture, arches, arbours and fencing, are taking on one of the world’s most famous races in the name of charity. Read more - open to all

(L-r) Andrew, Steve and John.

Timber industry stalwart and entrepreneur passes away

Malcolm Morgan, founder and Chairman of the well-known timber company Zest 4 Leisure, part of the P&A Group, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday April 5.  Read more - open to all

Malcolm Morgan

Kyle’s dissertation contributes to a study published in BioControl Journal

The Plant Health Coordinator at one of the UK’s leading nurseries has contributed to a study published this month (April, 2018) in a leading scientific journal. Read more - open to all

Kyle Ross Plant Health Coordinator at Wyevale Nurseries

Hayter’s Christopher Cooper appointed President for the Agricultural Engineers Association

Christopher Cooper, product marketing manager of popular lawn care brands, Hayter and Toro, was recently named President of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA). Read more - open to all

Christopher Cooper

The Prince Edward Award for Excellence in Horticulture for David Domoney

The Prince Edward Award for Excellence in Horticulture has been presented to David Domoney by the Master of The Worshipful Company of Gardeners, David Green CB. QC. at The Goldsmiths Hall in the city of London. Read more - open to all

Master of The Worshipful Company of Gardeners, David Green with David Domoney

New Chairman for the APL

Ken White from Frosts Landscapes has stepped down as Chair of the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL).  Vice Chair Rod Winrow, from Garden House Design, is taking on the role of Chair with David Sewell from the Garden Makers assuming the position of Vice Chair, until the November AGM where they will stand for re-election. Read more - open to all

Emma McFarline receives Floranova Scholarship

Horticultural student Emma McFarline is this year’s recipient of the Floranova Scholarship, awarded by the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF). This annual award of £1,500 is made to a student with proven merit who is keen to pursue a research career in the horticultural industry. Read more - open to all

Emma McFarline

Village Candle appoints Clive Harper as president of international sales

Clive Harper, former MD of Yankee Candle, has joined Village Candle as President of International Sales. His role will be to extend the Village Candle brand into new and markets whilst working to expand existing ones, giving it a true global presence. Read more - open to all

Clive Harper

HTA Chairman leaves after 2 months

The HTA Board has announced that Chris Pateman has left his post as Chairman of the HTA citing family reasons and the long commute. Read more - members only

Chris Pateman

Deco-Pak gets creative with sales support

Leading decorative aggregates, landscaping and birdbox supplier Deco-Pak has announced three new additions to its creative team to aid both sales support and new product development. Read more - open to all

(L-r): Sami Jackson, Craig Hall, Adele Wynn and Stephanie Swann.

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