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

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

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 - open to all

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

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 - open to all

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 - open to all

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 - open to all

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 - open to all

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 - open to all

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 - open to all

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

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

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 - open to all

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 - open to all

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

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

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 - open to all

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 - open to all

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 - open to all

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 - open to all

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

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 - open to all

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 - open to all

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 - open to all