New chair for the Tillington Group

The Tillington Group has announced that Caroline Owen, Managing Director of Scotsdales Garden Centres, has taken over the chairmanship of the Tillington Group from Dennis Espley. Read more - members only

Caroline Owen

Paul Cooling dies

With great sadness Coolings Nurseries Ltd have announced that Paul Cooling died on the 29th of December having recently suffered a massive stroke. Read more - open to all

Paul Cooling who died on 29th December 2022

MorePeople has appointed MD Richard Hanwell to the main board

MorePeople has appointed MD Richard Hanwell to the main board.  He has become a shareholder. Founder Guy Moreton and CEO Andrew Fitzmaurice make up the remaining shareholding. Read more - open to all

Richard Hanwell

45,000 visas for seasonal workers in horticulture

Daffodil growers recognised as Defra increases by 50% the number of seasonal workers allocated for businesses in edible and ornamental horticulture next year. Read more - members only

Nicholas Saphir re-appointed as Chair of the AHDB

The Government has re-appointed Nicholas Saphir as Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) for one year, with effect from 1 April 2023.  Read more - open to all

Nicholas Saphir

Top economist announced as a key speaker at GCA conference in 2023

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has announced that leading economist Roger Martin-Fagg will be speaking at its 56th annual conference in Blackburn this January (January 22 until 25, 2023). Read more - open to all

Roger Martin-fagg

British Garden Centres names new Group Buying Director

British Garden Centres welcomes Scott McCabe as their Group Buying Director. Scott, with a wealth of industry experience, joins BGC on December 1st.  Read more - open to all

Scott McCabe

Steve Potter celebrates his 50th birthday by donating 50 Christmas trees

Steve Potter celebrates his 50th Birthday by donating 50 Christmas Trees (one for each of his Birthdays!) to The One Love Project Soup Kitchen & Foodbank. Read more - open to all

Peter Burks to become GCA Chief Executive

Former GCA chairman Peter Burks is to become the new CEO of the Garden Centre Association, starting in January. Read more - open to all

Peter Burks

Wilko in talks over £30m urgent cash injection

Last week Wilko eased its financial pressures with a £48m sale and leaseback of its distribution hub. However, The Times reports it is in talks for a further £30m emergency loan. Read more - members only

Become a Perennial Mental Health First Aid Ambassador

Perennial is calling for organisations to become ambassadors and participate in its Mental Health First Aider training programme. As part of the charity’s health and wellbeing focus the programme aims to put more Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace. Read more - open to all

Green-tech announces two winners

Green-tech is celebrating after finding out that two of their team have been named as winners in the Pro Landscaper ‘30 under 30’ - The Next Generation Initiative. Read more - open to all

Arron Grange & Georgia Gilbert

Tony Stubbs of Toad Hall Garden centre has died

It has been reported that Tony Stubbs, who joined his parents at Toad Hall Garden Centre, Henley in 1972, has died at the age of 76. Read more - open to all

Richard Claxton GP joins the Greenfingers Board of Trustees

The Greenfingers Charity’s Board of Trustees has further expanded with the inclusion of Richard Claxton, GP and therapeutic garden designer. Read more - open to all

Richard Claxton

New Senior Ecologist for the RHS

New RHS Senior Ecologist appointed to help increase biodiversity in UK’s gardens.  The new post, a first for the RHS, will design and lead ecological surveys at the charity’s five gardens. Read more - open to all

Gemma Golding

Alastair Jackson – General Manager – Poplars Garden Centre

On the 27th December Alastair lost his short battle with cancer and died peacefully, at home, surrounded by his family. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. Read more - open to all

Alastair Jackson

The headlines that made 2022 unique - a round-up

2022 was dominated by the recovery from the distortions to trade caused by Covid. It was a year of acquisitions. There were some game changers and sadly we lost some leading characters. Read more - open to all

The YPHA - a game changer for young people in horticulture

Gavin Cooper of Prior Park has died, suddenly

Gavin Cooper who was general manager of Prior Park Garden and Pet Centre has died suddenly and completely unexpectedly. Read more - open to all

Bee Conservation Trust’s founder to create a buzz at upcoming GCA conference

Bee ecologist and founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust Dave Goulson will share his expertise on sustainability at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference in Blackburn in January (January 22 until 25, 2023). Read more - open to all

Bee Ecologist Dave Goulson

Tim swaps L’Oréal for top finance role at Wyevale Nurseries

Tim Fawbert whose previous role was with the French cosmetics giant L’Oréal has joined one of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries as Group Finance Director. Read more - open to all

 Tim Fawbert new Group Finance Director, Wyevale Nurseries

Majestic’s Eliot Barden in final 3 for Young IGOTY

Eliot Barden, the Production and Education Manager for Majestic Trees, is in the final three to become AIPH’s Young International Grower of the Year. Read more - open to all

General Manager at Farplants Sales Ltd appointed as a Director

Farplants Sales Ltd (Farplants) are pleased to announce General Manager, David Salisbury, appointment as a Director. Read more - open to all

David Salisbury, General Manager at Farplants Sales Ltd has been appointed as a Director.

Get ready for the most JUMPERFUL time of the Year 2022!

“Put your Christmas sweater on, it's got to be done” are the words of Christmas crooner, Michael Bublé, and who are we to disagree especially when it is for charity? Read more - open to all

Abigail Stocker and Botd Douglas-Davies with those sweaters

Perennial launches Christmas appeal

In the lead up to Christmas, Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture, is launching an urgent appeal in response to the worst cost of living crisis seen in a generation. Read more - open to all

Young horticulturalist's business devastated by freak tornado

PhD completed, Tobias Lane was building his own horticulture research business in Hampshire.  Now he needs help as his glass houses have been devastated by a freak tornado. Read more - open to all

Adventurer Caspar Craven to deliver talk at annual conference

Garden Centre Association (GCA) members will hear from a serial entrepreneur, former Chief Finance Officer and adventurer on how to achieve ‘big bold goals’ at its annual conference in Blackburn (January 22 until 25, 2023). Read more - open to all

Adventurer Caspar Craven

SBM Life Science grows its sales team and market shares

SBM Life Science, the group behind the iconic fertiliser brands, Baby Bio® and Phostrogen®, has celebrated a successful season for the company, sharing news of the expansion of its UK sales team and the growth of market shares throughout 2022.  Read more - open to all

L-R James, Becky & Tara

Jackie Eades to bring Dymak to the UK

Jackie Eades is to bring her years of experience and expertise from the garden industry into her new role as Head of UK at Dymak ltd. Read more - open to all

Jackie Eades

GCA to welcome inclusion and diversity consultant at 2023 conference

Consultant, public speaker and author Linbert Spencer OBE will be presenting at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference in Blackburn in January (January 22 until 25, 2023). Read more - open to all

Linbert Spencer OBE Inclusion and Diversity consultant

Fleur Smith has joined Fullbrook Nursery

Fleur brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge within the industry and has spent many years helping to provide excellent sales service to customers within the landscape industry. Read more - open to all

Fleur Smith has joined the G-Scapes team

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