The RISING Stars class of 2015 attended the second GCA/Westland Merchandising Masterclass of the programme at Barton Grange Garden Centre near Preston. Read more - open to all

Garden Centre Association (GCA) inspector Liz Hutson is standing down from her role this year – with her final official engagement for the industry body at its annual conference next year (2016). Read more - open to all

A six month trading statement from Marshalls, the landscape and paving manufacturer, shows an 11% increase in sales and longer order books for installers.

Meet the team at Malcolm Scotts, Chartered Planning and Development Consultants, who can help on all aspects of planning negotiations and applications. Read more - open to all

Suttons Seeds have a secret weapon in their team, their man of mystery, Mike Manwaring, has an arsenal of special powers when it comes to data analysis and business intelligence. Read more - open to all

Renown actor, presenter and comedian, Rufus Hound has been announced as the host of this year’s GIMA Awards. Read more - open to all

Industry update on new colleagues joining the business. Read more - open to all

Mr Fothergill's Seeds retail sales team has been strengthened by the appointment of Mario Grandilli as export sales manager and Julie Emmett as north-east territory manager. Read more - open to all

Nick Burrows is to be the new Notcutts chief executive from September. Recently he has been the executive chairman at both the First Sports Group and The Thames Club. Read more - members only

Lincolnshire-based British Hardwood Tree Nursery Limited has promoted Nick Hopper to Business Manager to develop the operational side of the business as well as continuing to streamline and strengthen their procurement and sales capabilities. Read more - open to all

This year’s GIMA Charity Golf Day will be hosted by leading UK golfer, Paul Broadhurst who will join the players on the course and host the prize giving and auction in the evening. Read more - open to all

Fiskars has announced the appointment of Karl Millergill as Sales Director for its UK business. Read more - open to all

Charles Campion, food critic and MasterChef judge, has been announced as the Keynote Speaker on day one of the HTA Catering Conference 2015, which takes place on 9 and 10 June 2015 at The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. Read more - open to all

Colin Wetherley Mein, new president of GIMA, hopes to add services such as a buying group and barometer of trade for GIMA members. He also wants to continue building links with the rest of the industry. Read more - members only

Richard Hemans, Group Finance Director of Blue Diamond Garden Centre Group, has successfully gained admission as a Chartered Director, the Institute of Director’s prestigious and practical qualification for company directors and board members, following a rigorous process that has taken over two years. Read more - open to all

Chris Brookman has joined Woodlodge Products as their new Sales & Development Manager. Read more - open to all

Neil Grant, Ferndale Garden Centre and Graham Spencer, Plants for Europe are the latest speakers to join the line-up for Plant Retailing, Fit for the Future, sponsored by XL Horticulture, which takes place during the Ball Colegrave 2015 Summer Showcase 14th July 2015. Read more - open to all

Charles Notcutt has died peacefully at home, aged 81.  He was a pioneer in establishing retail garden centres and the production of container grown plants in the UK.    Read more - members only

Members of staff from Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford were recently (June, 2015) presented with medals to honour their long service to the company. Read more - open to all

The Green-tree team has expanded with the arrival of Anna Wilcox who joins the team as an Operations Assistant. Read more - open to all

Suttons Seeds has a committed and experienced team behind it, with staff of varied and exceptional talent – who are planting seeds for a  brighter future and Suttons is blossoming! Read more - open to all

With further expansion in its sights, Haskins Garden Centres Ltd has added two more board members to the existing team comprising of Chairman Warren Haskins, Chief Executive Julian Winfield and Buying Director Conna Powles. Read more - open to all

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Andy Royce, who died at home on Saturday 30th May. The funeral will be on Friday 12th June. Read more - open to all

Malcolm Scott Consultants are pleased to announce that Faisal Ishaq has joined Malcolm Scott Consultants as a new Town Planner. Read more - open to all

Peter Williams steps down after 10 years as finance director at William Sinclair.  The company has appointed turnaround specialist, Sheryl Tye, as interim CFO. Read more - members only

James Woolway was elected President of the Agricultural Engineers Association at its recent Annual General Meeting. Read more - open to all

The 140 full and part time staff at the Haskins West End Garden Centre near Eastleigh have a new management team. Read more - open to all

Smart Garden Products are pleased to announce that the winning Sales Team for 2014 is Workforce Agencies Ltd for its fantastic achievement in the North West territory, headed by Sam Thornley. Read more - open to all

Nigel Thompson, former marketing director at The Stewart Company, is to join MorePeople as an associate director.  Read more - open to all

Trans-Continental Group has announced that Sara Murray has been appointed to the position of Buying Director. Read more - open to all