industry news
Wych Cross Garden Centre joins Wyevale GC Group
Garden centre and horticulture specialist chartered surveyors Quinton Edwards has announced the sale of East Sussex-based centre Wych Cross Garden Centre.
Wych Cross Garden Centre operates from a 2.8 acre site at Forest Row, and has been run by an independent company for the past 27 years. The Garden Centre stocks a wide range of plants with a recognised specialism in roses with 400 varieties stocked.
Quinton Edwards acted on behalf of Wych Cross during the sale. Director Ray Kennedy commented: “The wide experience and industry knowledge that Simon Quinton Smith brought to the valuation of our business and the subsequent negotiations with the Wyevale Garden Centre Group enabled shareholders to maximise their expectations while illustrating the potential still locked within the company. Selling any business is an emotional rollercoaster and Simon proved to be both a wise counsellor and a pragmatic dealmaker.”
The acquisition of Wych Cross Garden Centre brings the size of the WGC estate to 151 centres nationwide, following the purchase of Sidmouth Garden Centre earlier in October.
Stewart appoints
marketing director Juan Pillay is the new marketing director at Stewart, the British manufacturer and distributor of gardening products, catering supplies, homewares and bespoke technical solutions.
He joins Stewart from Whirlpool Corporation, where he held senior positions in logistics, sales and marketing. Most recently, he was head of marketing for the UK and Ireland. Juan (pictured) commented: “This is an exciting time to join Stewart. At 70 years strong, it’s a great brand with fantastic growth opportunities. The passion for manufacturing here is very clear. As we look to the future, I will play a major role in strengthening our marketing operations, developing our digital and online capabilities to build further brand value.”
Andrew McIndoe to leave Hillier Nurseries
Hillier Nurseries & Garden Centres has announced that Andrew McIndoe left the company for new pastures late last month.
Andrew McIndoe has been a major part of the Hillier story for the past 37 years, serving as Hillier Garden Centre director before assuming the role of Hillier managing director seven years ago.
During his time at Hillier, Andy (pictured) created 25
Gold-Medal winning RHS Chelsea exhibits, led Hillier Gardening Club tours around Britain and Europe, gave frequent gardening talks to gardening groups and industry bodies, wrote many of the bestselling Hillier Gardener’s Guides and was the principal media spokesperson for Hillier. Hillier Nurseries and Garden Centres chairman Robert Hillier said: “Andy has played a tremendous role in Hillier’s success. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Andy for his outstanding contribution over the past three decades.”
Andrew McIndoe commented: “It has been a great honour and a pleasure to be a part of the Hillier story for so long and to have worked so closely with such an enthusiastic, knowledgeable team. I am excited to now be able to focus on what I am most passionate about, which is communicating, educating, designing and enthusing about the wonderful world of plants and gardening.”
the benefits of teamwork. Rising Stars finalists announced
The names of the six finalists of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) & Westland Rising Stars Programme have been announced.
Will Clark (Barton Grange), Kathryn Bailey (Barton Grange), Sophie Liebthal (Coolings), Sam Clark (Cowells), Matt Turner (Squires, Badshot Lea) and Jack Fillingham (Sunshine) have all made it through to the final challenge where they will present at the GCA Conference in Brighton in January. The overall winner will then be chosen by conference delegates.
GCU November 2015
The results are the culmination of an eight month programme in which candidates attended three merchandising Masterclasses run by IBBIS director and training facilitator Ian Boardman. Under the guidance of Ian, all the Rising Stars have made a real and positive impact in their centres, with each presenting the initiatives they have driven to both grow sales and income in their departments, the organisers say. All presented the importance of keeping hotspots fresh, creating clear signage, organising themed displays and demonstrated
Ian Boardman said: “Each year I am blown away by the quality and professionalism of all the Rising Stars taking part and this year was no exception. We may have picked a final six, but their achievements in the workplace prove they are all stars in their own right. They have grown as people over the course of the programme, with more confidence and self- belief. This year we stretched them with a project which took them out of their comfort zones – and to work across departments. They all achieved excellent results.”
Westland Horticulture marketing director Keith Nicholson said: “On behalf of Westland I’d like to congratulate the Rising Stars finalists for getting this far. The talent we have in this industry is exceptional and every year the standard just keeps getting higher. We now face a very exciting GCA conference final where delegates will get the chance to vote for the winner – Rising Star of the Year 2015. Also at the conference we will be announcing an expanded Rising Stars programme for 2016, which will allow a wider participation across the UK.”
www.gardencentreupdate.com | 7
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24