HTA welcomes three new Non-Executive Directors
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Nadine Charlton
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Rebecca Grant
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Emma Birkbeck
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has welcomed three new Non-Executive Directors to its Board following their ratification at last month’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Nadine Charlton, Rebecca Grant and Emma Birkbeck attended their first Board meeting, beginning three-year terms that will see them contribute to the strategic direction and governance of the membership organisation.
Bringing industry expertise to the Board
The new directors bring experience spanning sustainable landscaping, horticultural development, commercial leadership and business management.
Nadine Charlton, Director and Founder of Home Spring Gardens, specialises in the environmental horticulture and landscape construction industries. With experience in conservation, restorative projects and award-winning RHS show gardens, she is passionate about sustainable land use, biodiversity and the environmental benefits of horticulture.
Rebecca Grant has more than 35 years’ experience in horticulture and is Horticultural Development Manager at Joseph Rochford Gardens. Her responsibilities include environmental compliance, horticultural standards, the Ornamental Horticulture Assurance Scheme and management of Rochford’s International Rose Trials. She has also worked at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), managing Plant Breeder’s Rights trials.
Emma Birkbeck joins the Board as Managing Director of Fargro, a horticultural supplier supporting growers and retailers. Following 20 years in banking, she led an educational charity focused on horticulture before working as a leadership coach and trainer, delivering development programmes across the sector.
Supporting a sustainable future
Nadine Charlton said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as a Non-Executive Director for the Horticultural Trades Association, and I am looking forward to offering my experience to the Association and supporting others in the industry.”
Rebecca Grant said: “I am passionate about securing a sustainable and competitive UK environmental horticulture sector for HTA members and the wider industry, and I am honoured to be joining the board as a Non-Executive Director.”
Emma Birkbeck said she looked forward to helping champion horticulture’s role in creating a greener, more sustainable future, strengthening the industry’s voice and supporting members as the sector navigates future opportunities and challenges.
Board changes
The HTA Board comprises Non-Executive Directors and Executive Directors, including Chief Executive Fran Barnes and Chief Financial Officer Stan Owen. Non-Executive Directors contribute their knowledge and experience, support and constructively challenge the executive team, agree the organisation’s business plan and champion the HTA and wider industry.
The Association has also thanked outgoing Board members Alan Down and Vicky Nuttall for their significant contributions, expertise and commitment.
Representing more than 1,400 businesses across garden retail, growing, landscaping, design, manufacturing and supply, the HTA provides political representation, industry insights, commercial support and collaboration. It also operates the National Garden Gift Card scheme, which generates around £40 million in annual consumer spend for the sector.
Caption: The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Board, Non-Executive Directors (Back l-r): Neil Grant, Brett Avery, Geoff Caesar (Middle l-r): Rebecca Grant, Martin Rowe, Mike Burks, Will Armitage (Front l-r): Jacqui Prior, Emma Birkbeck, Jane Lawler, Nadine Charlton (Not pictured): Mark Pitman