Alison returns as Tracy retires

Suffolk seedsman Mr Fothergill's has announced the appointment of Alison Mulvaney as its technical manager; she replaces about-to-retire Tracy Collacott. The move from Bayer Garden, where she has been consumer brand manager, marks a return for Mulvaney, who worked in the seed company's marketing department in 2004-5. Read more - open to all

Alison Mulvaney

Louise Hammer-Brown to join Hillier as Head of Marketing

Hillier has announced the appointment of Louise Hammer-Brown as Head of Marketing at Hillier from the 4th January. Read more - open to all

Alyson takes on GCA inspector’s role

Alyson Haywood has been named as the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) new inspector this week (December 21, 2015). Read more - open to all

Alyson Haywood

Chris Beytes to MC at AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards 2016

Chris Beytes, Editor of GrowerTalks and Green Profit magazine, is to be the master of ceremonies at the AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards 2016.  Read more - open to all

Chris Beytes, Editor of GrowerTalks and Green Profit magazine

Comedian Hal Cruttenden to compere GCA dinner

Radio and TV comedian, writer and actor Hal Cruttenden will be compering the awards dinner at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) conference next month (January 26, 2016). Read more - open to all

Radio and TV comedian, writer and actor Hal Cruttenden, to compere the GCA Conference awards dinner.

Princess Royal receives garden seeds at Capel Manor renaming ceremony

When HRH The Princess Royal visited Capel Manor College in Enfield, John Fothergill was on hand to present her with a range of garden seeds from the eponymous company, which has a show garden at the site. Read more - open to all

HRH The Princess Royal and John Fothergill

Mr Fothergill's marks Peter's 80th with painting of Seabrook's Lavender

Suffolk seedsman Mr Fothergill's marked leading garden writer Peter Seabrook's 80th birthday in early November with the gift of a painting of Verbena Seabrook's Lavender by botanical artist Isobel Bartholomew. Read more - open to all

L - r John Fothergill, Peter Seabrook and David Carey

Gardman appoints new CEO

The Gardman Group has announced the appointment of Pete Utting as Chief Executive. Read more - open to all

Dennis Espley is to retire next spring

Dennis Espley has picked next April as the time to step down as MD of Squire’s, 30 years after joining the business. The group has started the search for his replacement. Read more - members only

Dennis Espley

Ken White joins HTA Board

Managing Director of Frosts Landscapes, Ken White has joined the HTA Board as a Director. Read more - open to all

Ken White has joined the HTA Board as a Director

Wyevale confirms the departure of Jason Danciger

Food and beverage director Jason Danciger is leaving Wyevale Garden Centres after 2 years with the business. Read more - open to all

Jason Danciger

Andrew McIndoe to leave Hillier Nurseries

Hillier Nurseries & Garden Centres have today announced that Andrew McIndoe is to leave the company on Friday 23 October for pastures new. Read more - open to all

Andrew McIndoe is to leave Hillier Nurseries

Rising Stars finalists announced

The names of the six finalists of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) & Westland Rising Stars Programme have been announced. Read more - open to all

The Rising Stars, with Iain Wylie (far left) and Ian Boardman (second from the left) at their final

Blue Diamond has a new Chairman

Simon Burke, ex Chairman of Hobbycraft and former CX of Virgin Entertainment is the new chairman of Blue Diamond Group of garden centres.  Read more - members only

Simon Burke

BHETA appoints Grinsell as Home Improvement Director

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has appointed Paul Grinsell as Home Improvement Executive Director following the departure of Peter Stone. Paul takes up his new role on October 5. Read more - open to all

Paul Grinsell

Forest Garden welcomes new team members

As Forest Garden ramps up activity to meet the early spring demand, it has been confirmed that it has added several new team members to the mix, strengthening both its sales force presence and approach to new product development. Read more - open to all

Guy Jackson - Group Product Manager

Review of 2015 in the Garden Industry

2015 was an eventful year in the garden sector. Here is a round-up of some of the most important stories on Gardenforum throughout the year. This article is open to non-members. Read more - open to all

Bicester, one of the 8 garden centres bought by Black Rock for £112.5m

Big Business entrepreneur and Joy of Plants join HTA Technology Conference Programme

Naomi Langford-Wood, out of industry author, entrepreneur and businesswoman and Terri Jones from Joy of Plants have been unveiled as the latest speakers to join the programme for the HTA Technology Conference – Using technology to grow. Read more - open to all

Terri Jones from Joy of Plants.

New campaign co-ordinator for Love the Plot You’ve Got

The Garden Industry Marketing Board (GIMB) has contracted Holly Garland and the team at garlandpr to co-ordinate the industry wide Love the Plot You’ve Got campaign. Read more - open to all

Holly Garland

Allensmore Nurseries announce new general manager

Allensmore Nurseries is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Henry who has joined the company in the newly created role of General Manager. Read more - open to all

New Marketing Executive for Town & Country

Town & Country, leading supplier of gardening gloves and footwear to the UK garden retail market, has appointed Andrea Litchfield to the position of marketing executive. Read more - open to all

Andrea Litchfield, marketing executive

Green-fingered great gives back

An Evening with Alan Titchmarsh in aid of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. Read more - open to all

L-R Richard East, Sue Hardy and Richard Cumming, Alan Titchmarsh and Louise and Mike Burks.

Retail guru from Germany to inspire GCA members

A retail expert will be flying in from Germany to speak at the 2016 Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference in January and he says the future for garden centres is bright. Read more - open to all

John Herbert

Paula Parker leaves as Scotts reorganises

UK marketing director, Paula Parker, has left as Scotts Miracle-Gro cuts out a layer of management in the UK. Read more - members only

Paula Parker

Conference to get ‘fresh perspectives on leadership’

Delegates attending the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) golden jubilee conference in January (2016) will be treated to some insider tips on how to hone their leadership skills. Read more - open to all

Lucy Adams

AIPH elects new President

The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) has elected Bernard Oosterom as its new President. The announcement is made following the 67th Annual Congress held in Stresa, Italy, last week.  Read more - open to all

Bernard Oosterom,  new AIPH President.

Conference delegates to be inspired to be champions

A British Olympic Silver and World Championship Gold Medallist has been booked for the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) conference in January (2016) to inspire attendees to bring out the best in their teams. Read more - open to all

Roger Black MBE, who will be one of the main speakers at the next GCA Conference in January (2016).

New manager at Squire’s Garden Centre in Woking

Squire’s Garden Centres are delighted to announce the appointment of Ed Ridgeon as Manager at their Woking centre. Read more - open to all

Ed Ridgeon – Manager at Squire’s in Woking

Ben wins IPPS International Exchange Award

Product Development Co-ordinator Ben Gregory at Wyevale Nurseries has won the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) International Exchange Award. Read more - open to all

Ben Gregory - Product Development Coordinator

New President promises HTA will give change a great big ‘Bear-Hug’

Introducing the Garden Futures Conference, new president, Adam Wigglesworth said “The entrepreneur spirit is as alive as ever. The HTA is giving change a great big bear hug.” Read more - members only

HTA President, Adam Wigglesworth

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