New Chairman and chairman elect at the GCA
Tammy Woodhouse was named the GCA’s Chairman for 2022 – 23 with Will Blake becoming Chairman Elect, during its virtual AGM meeting, which took place on February 10.
Tammy, managing director of Millbrook Garden Centres, which has centres in Gravesend and Staplehurst in Kent, said: “I look forward to working closely with the GCA Executive and full Board of elected directors. I hope together we can continue to expand our membership and strengthen those all-important relationships between centres.
"I am looking forward to improving the sustainability of our industry, taking forward the recently developed five-year strategic plan for the GCA and hopefully meeting members in person at the postponed conference later in the year.”
Tammy joined The Millbrook Garden Company briefly in 1998 following the sudden death of her father Dick Allen. Subsequently, she worked as a Retail Manager for Debenhams and studied garden design before returning permanently to Millbrook in 2002. She took over as Managing Director from her mum Sue in 2009 after a five-year succession plan.
Will Blake, director St Peter’s Garden Centre in Worcester, said: “For many years I have seen the dedicated work the association’s Chairmen’ undertake and I am really looking forward to my time in office. In the meantime, I will be doing anything I can to help and support Tammy in her new role.”
Will joined his family business in 2013 after a successful career in the logistics industry. During his time in logistics, he worked for several blue chip PLCs, including GlaxoSmithKline, Nestlé, Carlsberg Tetley, B&Q and Superdry.
He joined the GCA in 2015 as Area Chairman for the Midlands. He is passionate about encouraging sustainability in the garden centre sector.