Tom Sharples retires from Suttons

Tom Sharples, currently Senior Horticultural Manager at Suttons is retiring after 44 years with the company. Tom has made a huge contribution to both Suttons and Dobies over all those years and his legacy lives on in those with whom he has shared his immense knowledge.


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Tom Sharples

HTA strengthens its grower representation at Board level

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced the appointment of Brian Fraser, General Manager and Director of Oakover Nurseries near Ashford, Kent, to the HTA Board as a non-executive director. Read more - open to all

Brian Fraser, General Manager and Director of Oakover Nurseries near Ashford, Kent.

One Step At A Time – the inspirational after dinner speech at Cultivating Retail

Telling his compelling, uplifting and honest story, James Golding is to be the record holding, inspirational after dinner speaker at Cultivating Retail. Read more - open to all

James Golding

New hire to boost sales of British products in garden centres

British product sourcing specialist The Great British Exchange has appointed John Hinde to increase the volume of UK manufactured gifts and homewares in garden centres. Read more - open to all

John Hinde

Annabelle Padwick announced as latest Thrive Ambassador

We are delighted to announce that Annabelle Padwick has become the latest Ambassador for Thrive. The writer, speaker and founder of Life at No.27 has been promoting the benefits of gardening to those struggling with mental ill health since 2015, by sharing her own personal story through her popular allotment blog and speaking at various events, including BBC Gardeners’ World Live. Read more - open to all

Annabelle Padwick at Thrive’s Beech Hill centre.

Decco appoints Martin Sutcliffe as Leeds manager

Leading home improvement and garden wholesaler, Decco has appointed Martin Sutcliffe as Manager for Decco Leeds, following Andrew Ballantine’s promotion to Chief Operating Officer.  The appointment is effective from 1st August 2018. Read more - open to all

Martin Sutcliffe

Key sales appointments at Crest Garden

Crest Garden have increased their sales team with the appointment of a National Account Manager and a new Area Sales Manager. Read more - open to all

Katie Smith

New MD for Vitax

Vitax Limited, one of the UK’s leading garden and horticulture manufacturers has appointed a new managing director as it drives forward with its ambitious growth plans. Read more - open to all

Carl Welsh and Mark Butler

Highly-regarded horticulturalist celebrates 50 years in horticulture

Colin Randel, product manager and vegetable expert at Suffolk-based mail order plants and seeds firm Thompson & Morgan was last week presented with an engraved commemorative garden fork and spade in recognition of his 50 year contribution to horticulture. Read more - open to all

: The Sun’s Peter Seabrook (L) presents Colin Randel (R) with engraved garden fork and spade.

Record breaking year for new starters at Green-tech

Leading landscape supplier Green-tech has recently welcomed two new starters, taking their number of new recruits in this financial year to a record-breaking 16. Read more - open to all

L to R   Dan Hildreth, Lizzy Rose, Sam Roddam

Scottish Wholesaler helps local people back into work

Unemployed people in Glasgow are being helped back into work thanks to an ongoing partnership between a local gardening and hardware wholesale and trade supplier, and a national support organisation. Read more - open to all

Employing local people is an important consideration for Stax Trade Centres

Six staff members clock up 195 years of service

Six members of staff from Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford were recently (June, 2018) presented with medals to honour their long service to the company. Read more - open to all

Joshua presented with Peter Williamson Travel Award

Joshua Stone from Pershore College has recently (June, 2018) been presented with Wyevale Nurseries’ Peter Williamson Travel Award. Read more - open to all

Peter Williamson Award Winner - Joshua Stone

Stephen Mangan to host 2018 GIMA Awards

TV, film and stage actor Stephen Mangan has been announced as the host of the 2018 GIMA Awards. Read more - open to all

TV, film and stage actor Stephen Mangan

OBE for Monty Don

BBC Gardener’s World presenter Monty Don has been awarded an OBE for services to horticulture, broadcasting and charity in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Read more - open to all

Monty Don OBE

Broadcasting and horticultural legend to be given Honorary Degree!

Well-known horticultural journalist and consultant Peter Seabrook MBE will receive an Honorary Degree from Writtle University College next month. Read more - open to all

Peter Seabrook MBE

New director joins Vitax board

Vitax Limited has appointed a new director to its board as it merges the Organico 6X brand with the Vitax business. Read more - open to all

(L-r) Paul Gooding - Vitax's chairman with new board director Andy Gurney & Carl Welsh - Vitax's md.

Tong Garden Centre strengthens its team

Tong Garden Centre, one of Yorkshire's biggest garden centres, has strengthened its team with appointments in Marketing, HR and Finance. Read more - open to all

L to R: Emma Wiltshire, Leigh Quinn and Carrie Mackertich

2018 garden sales increase as does Hayloft Plants

Hayloft Plants is experiencing similar growth and has strengthened the board by appointing Lukasz Laszkiewicz as Operations Director with effect from 1st August 2018. Read more - open to all

Lukasz Laszkiewicz

New appointments for RSW International Limited

RSW International Limited; leading importers of Garden & Leisure products including; Christmas, Pet Care, Picnicware, Gift & Housewares are pleased to announce a new appointment to its growing business. Bobby Fisher recently joined the Garden & Leisure team as Business Development Manager for the UK mainland Read more - open to all

Bobby Fisher

Adam Dunnett takes on a new challenge

Wyevale Nurseries has announced today (Thursday, August 2, 2018) that Adam Dunnett has decided to move on from his post as Sales and Marketing Director and will be relocating and taking up a new challenge. Read more - open to all

Adam Dunnett, Sales & Marketing Director at Wyevale Nurseries

Graeme Jenkins is the new CEO of Dobbies

Dobbies names Graeme Jenkins as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect replacing Nicholas Marshall, who has not been seen at the business for some months. Read more - members only

Graeme Jenkins

Roger retires as GCA inspector after 11 years

Roger Crookes is retiring as an inspector for the Garden Centre Association (GCA) this month after 11 years in the role (July 2018). Roger became a GCA inspector in 2007 after a career working in garden centres around the UK since 1977. Read more - open to all

Roger Crookes

Have you considered if your business is ‘millennial ready’?

Consumer and shopping behaviouralist, Ken Hughes, has been announced as our keynote speaker for Cultivating Retail, the new one-day event for retailers, suppliers and growers which takes place on Tuesday 13 November 2018 at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham. Read more - open to all

Consumer and shopping behaviouralist, Ken Hughes.

My Dad was my hero

Hannah Dye is running the 2019 London Marathon for Anthony Nolan because she lost her dad, Paul Dye, to blood cancer in January.  Support her and Anthony Nolan now. Read more - open to all

Hannah Dye with her father

Smart Garden Products win Supplier of the Year in France

Smart Garden Products are very proud of their French team who picked up a prestigious award last night for Supplier of the Year in the Lighting Category, voted for by garden centre buyers in France. Read more - open to all

Green-tech help create luxurious outside learning space at North Yorkshire Primary School

The Early Years Foundation Stage outside environment at Bedale Church of England Primary School in North Yorkshire has been given a luxurious finish with some help from leading landscaper supplier Green-tech. Read more - open to all

Worfield Plants introduce new sales executive

Worfield Plants in Shropshire has extended its team with the appointment of Jamie Ablett to the role of Sales Executive in the South East. Read more - open to all

Jamie Ablett

Steve Millington joins Tom Chambers

Steve Millington has joined Tom Chambers as national accounts manager.  In March he resigned from Tildenet where he was sales director of gardenware. Read more - open to all

Steve Millington

Kyle and Chris celebrate promotions

Two members of staff at Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford are celebrating this month (June, 2018) after both receiving promotions. Read more - open to all

Chris King, Wyevale Nurseries

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive