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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Industry stalwart and Chairman of Squires Garden Centres, Colin Squire, was presented with the Pearson Memorial Medal at the HTA Garden Futures Dinner, which took place on 30 September at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire. Read more - open to all

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Family owned Highfield Garden World in Gloucestershire has created and filled a new general manager role to help the business cope with recent rapid expansion. Read more - open to all

The HTA Annual General Meeting took place at Glee on Tuesday 15 September. Adam Wigglesworth from Aylett Nurseries was appointed as President of the Association taking over the role from Stan Green of Growforth who becomes the Immediate Past President. Read more - open to all