GIMA have announced that John Cleland, CEO of Dobbies Garden Centres and Charlie Lacey, COO at Decco will both be speaking at the next GIMA day conference. Read more - open to all

February and March sees gardening ‘royalty’ Pippa Greenwood visit Haskins Garden Centres in Ferndown, Dorset and West End, Hampshire to talk to customers on her growing experiences as well as giving an exclusive gardening demonstration. Read more - open to all

Support Zest 4 Leisure's Paul Haynes as he cycles for YoundMinds to thank for the help his son has received over the last couple of years. Read more - open to all

Eight employees working across Haskins Garden Centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone and Snowhill in West Sussex have achieved success by completing their management and leadership training. Read more - open to all

A church service was held in January at Beech Hill, Berkshire to remember the life of gardening charity Thrive’s founding member The Rev’d Dr Geoffrey Udall who would have celebrated his 100th birthday on Monday January 16th 2017. Read more - open to all

Following a hugely positive response to Gardman’s 2017 marketing programme, Scott McCabe will join Gardman to strengthen the Garden Centre Independents team. Read more - open to all

It is with regret that LOFA has to announce that Chairman Paul Bevington has decided to step down from LOFA Council, for personal reasons. He is succeeded by Mark Osborne. Read more - open to all

Johnsons of Whixley have marked the achievements of four members of staff who have each completed ten years’ service with the company. Read more - open to all

After just over three years as Non-Executive Chairman at Hayloft Plants Ltd, Martin Harvey is leaving the specialist multichannel garden plant company, to focus on growing his award-winning Bio-Gard business, which sells a range of waste water treatment products for domestic septic tanks under the Muck Munchers brand. Read more - open to all

Glendale Horticulture is pleased to announce that Laurence Scowen has joined the business in the role of Managing Director, effective from January 2017 Read more - open to all

Garland Products/Worth Gardening is delighted to welcome Phil Burgoyne to the management team as its new south east and key accounts manager. 35 years garden centre experience will aid company’s continued expansion. Read more - open to all

Leading floral designer Jonathan Moseley has been appointed President of the North of England Horticultural Society (NEHS). Read more - open to all

Sue Biggs, director-general of the Royal Horticultural Society, has been appointed CBE in the New Year Honours list. See other awards. Read more - members only

A world-renowned behavioural economist, award-winning Financial Times columnist and BBC broadcaster will be offering delegates at the Garden Centre Association (GCA) annual conference in January (2017) an insight into the economics of daily life. Read more - open to all

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 - open to all

Steve Harper is to rejoin Bord na Mona along with his business partner, Jerry Walker. Charles Farmer leaves shortly. Read more - members only

Bunnings reveals 5 year strategy for BUKI, says clearance activity is largely complete and it will open 3 more pilot stores before June. Read more - members only

Hockley International ltd have appointed Tommy Gill as managing director.  He is a former MD of Bayer Garden in the UK. Read more - open to all

The New Year has brought the opportunity of expanding the sales team at G Plants. Paul Egan will be working in the north of England, focusing on Garden Centre and gift store sales. Read more - open to all

Daniel from Barton Grange Garden Centre was voted Rising Star of 2016 by delegates at the GCA Conference in St Andrews, Scotland and picked up his award on stage at the Gala Dinner on Tuesday night. Read more - open to all

The Garden Centre Association has today (Monday, January 23, 2017) announced its three new inspectors who will begin visiting member garden centres this spring. Read more - members only

Choice Marketing is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Cook as Group Services Manager with immediate effect. Read more - open to all

Essex-based Louis King has been appointed territory manager for Kent and most of London by Mr Fothergill's. He comes to the Suffolk seedsman from a similar role with Unilever. Prior to this, Louis lived in Sweden for eight years, where he was a semi-professional footballer. Read more - open to all

Delegates at this month's (January, 2017) Garden Centre Association (GCA) 51st annual conference will be asked what their internal soundtracks are saying to them and how this sits with what they want to achieve. Read more - open to all

Former chief executive, now non-executive chairman of Klondyke, Bob Hewitt has taken up an additional part-time role as non-executive director of Kelkay. Read more - members only

Stewarts Garden Centre Restaurant and Coffee shop at Broomhill, near Wimborne has appointed John Cook as their new Head Chef.  Read more - open to all

One of Britain's most highly regarded sailors and a true adventurer will be giving delegates at the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) annual conference (January, 2017) tips on competitive tenacity and the will to win. Read more - open to all

Stax Trade Centres has announced that Philip Joyce will be joining the team as Branch Manager designate at their Birmingham location. This follows closely with the news that current Branch Manager, David Scully will be retiring next Spring after 25 years loyal service with the company. Read more - open to all

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 - open to all

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 - open to all