New Show Director appointed for Harrogate Flower Shows

Nick Smith, Development Manager for Culture and Leisure at Stockton Borough Council, has been appointed as the new Show Director for Harrogate Flower Shows.

Nick, who is 35, has a background in landscape architecture, design and management. He joined Stockton Borough Council as a Project Manager in 2008, before taking on the role of Development Manager, responsible for the £8 million redevelopment of the Teesside authority’s historic Preston Park Museum & Grounds.

A graduate in Landscape Architecture from Leeds Metropolitan University, Nick spent his early career working in the landscape industry in Ireland, including teaching design at the North Down & Ards Institute in County Down.

Before returning to England in 2008, he was a Design Manager with Northern Ireland’s biggest design and build company, The Landscape Centre, County Antrim, delivering nationally recognised projects such as governmental buildings in Belfast, the redevelopment of Quintin Castle in County Down, BALI Award winning gardens in County Fermanagh, and a range of private commissions across Ireland and Northern England.

Nick, who will take up his new appointment on January 6, commented: “As an avid visitor of the Harrogate Flower Shows for the last 20 years, I am delighted to be joining the team at such an exciting time.

“The shows were recently rated Britain’s best gardening events by Which? and are undoubtedly the most prestigious independent events in the UK gardening calendar. I am looking forward to working with both the show team and our exhibitors to build on that tremendous success and ensure that our visitors will continue to find all the ideas and inspiration they need, as well as enjoying a great day out.”

For more information, please contact Camilla Harrison on 01423 546160 or camilla@flowershow.org.uk