NEWS GCA Rising Stars finalists revealed


Four individuals from Garden Centre Association (GCA) member garden centres have been announced as finalists in the industry body’s ‘Rising Stars’ programme sponsored by Westland Horticulture. The staff were put forward by their garden centres for the scheme and took part in a series of workshops during 2024.


GCA inspector, Gordon Emslie, who mentored the workshops, said: “Well done to our worthy finalists: Ben Clarke from Knights Nags Hall


Garden Centre, Dan Furley from Millbrook Garden Centre – Gravesend, Josh Rigg from Klondyke Garden Centre – Wilmslow and Gayna Barnard of Bents Home & Garden. I’m looking forward to seeing them present at the GCA conference in January. Each year our finalists really excel, and this year is no exception.


“The initiative would not run without the excellent partnership between the GCA and Westlands. I would like to thank both organisations for showing such wonderful


Travis Perkins opens new branch in Norwich


meet the growing demands of the trade sector, enhancing service and product availability for customers and reinforcing Travis Perkins’ reputation as the UK’s leading building materials supplier.


The branch, Norwich Broadland Gate, is located on Maple Way in Postwick, and includes a Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery service, as well as Tool Hire. The move demonstrates Travis Perkins’ ongoing commitment to delivering for its customers by investing in the creation of larger and more capable destination branches within its network. With over more than 550 branches operational across the country, this new location is strategically positioned to


PEOPLE NEWS


Above: (Left -Right): Mike Burks with Will Armitage


Mike Burks awarded Pearson Memorial Medal 2024 The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has awarded Mike Burks, Managing Director of The Gardens Group, the prestigious 2024 Pearson Memorial Medal. Mike has been at the forefront of environmental work in the garden industry and has been recognised for his outstanding contributions and leadership in the sector. Will Armitage, HTA President, said: “Mike’s contribution to the industry is incredible; not only is he part of The Gardens Group, which operates three garden centres in the Southwest that are some of the best examples of horticultural retail in the


country, we believe, along with the support of his wife Louise, he has won the GCA Christmas merchandising prize more than any other retailer. Mike Burks, Pearson Memorial Medal winner, said:“This is slightly overwhelming


really. We’ve done lots of work with great people towards a common cause, and in so many ways, we’ve managed to come together, ensuring the HTA and GCA are aligned on all these projects. None of this would have been possible without the support of my team at the Gardens Group, and particularly my wife Louise, who allowed me to get away this afternoon to be here.”


6 DIY WEEK OCTOBER 2024


David Thompson, Branch Manager at Travis Perkins Norwich, said: “Whenever we open a new branch, we’re making a commitment to providing our customers with greater accessibility to a wide range of tools and materials, ensuring they have everything they need to deliver their projects on time and to a high-quality standard.” Travis Perkins meets these high standards by operating a diverse range of owned brands that address the needs of tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts. These specialised services are integrated into a cohesive offering, aimed at enhancing the customer experience across various sectors.


Garden furniture, grow your own and decorative garden structure specialist, Zest, part of the P&A Group, has smashed its own charity target of £10,000 yet again, reaching a grand total of £17,500 in support of the company’s 2024 chosen charity, North East Wales Mind.


The company backed employees in their latest September and October money- raising endeavours and the top initiatives included a massively successful 150-foot Liverpool Cathedral abseiling event, when fifteen employees faced their fears in the name of fundraising as well as participation in Iron


centres, which ran from March to September. They then presented them to a Dragon’s Den panel of judges in October, who scored them and the final four were the top scoring projects. Gordon added: “This


enthusiasm and commitment to the scheme and for wholeheartedly supporting the development of our colleagues in the sector.”


All the candidates undertook projects, within their garden


season’s Rising Stars have again been of an outstanding quality of people employed in the garden centre industry. The commitment, enthusiasm and tenacity shown from them all to deliver a sustainability or environmental project has been excellent. Every one of them


Zest employees smash charity targets


Man Wales. Other successful fundraising activities year to date have included the Chester 10K, the Manchester Marathon as well as company sponsored quiz nights, cake bakes and raffles - and a 24-hour walk.


A wide range of employees


from different departments of the company organized and took part in events, with some individuals topping £1,000 in funds raised so far for 2024. Zest’s Managing Director,


Andrew Baker explained, “In a world where the importance of mental well-being cannot be overstated, we believe it’s crucial to come together and shine a spotlight on the significance of supporting one another’s mental health journeys. “We have now raised over £175,000 in our 14 years of fundraising – and we still have a few 2024 events to go! With next year marking the Group’s 40th anniversary, it would be great to hit £200,000 during this milestone year”


should be extremely proud of their journey on this year’s programme and on how well they all did presenting at the Dragons Den.


The finalists will present


their projects at the 2025 GCA Conference at the De Vere Wokefield Estate near Reading in January and share with the audience how the Rising Stars programme has helped them develop during the past 10 months. A final winner will be voted for by conference delegates and crowned at the event.


Blanchard’s wins Cookshop


window dressing competition


Blanchard’s Home Hardware (Bideford) has won Home Hardware’s Cookshop Window Dressing Competition. The competition was introduced to support the Cookshop Catalogue and to inspire retailers to create eye-catching window displays. The results speak for themselves. All Home Hardware retailers were invited to participate in the competition and the overall standard of entry was exceptionally high. The competition was judged by an independent panel. Home Hardware would like to thank all members who participated in the competition.


Kersten Catella joins Wyevale Nurseries as Sales & Marketing Director


Well-known and highly respected horticultural industry professional Kersten Catella has joined Hereford-based Wyevale Nurseries as its Sales and Marketing Director. In her new role, Kersten is focused on getting behind the company’s vision and mission and firmly driving it forward.


Kersten said: “I am very excited to have joined a company that is held in such high esteem within the industry and to be working alongside a


senior team with such a breadth of expertise. I’m delighted to be steering Wyevale Nurseries’ vision and mission to become a recognised leader in the horticulture industry.”


Stevenson Agencies wins Garland’s coveted ‘Sales Agent of the Year’ award


The coveted ‘Sales Agent of the Year’ award presented by Garland Products has been won this year by Stevenson Agencies that covers Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. During the year the agency recorded an impressive 24 per cent


increase in sales year on year boosted by the introduction of over 40 new garden products at Glee 2023. The runner-up this year was James Worby Agencies covering the


south east, whilst the third place was shared by John Ducker which covers Norwich, East Anglia, Cambridge and surrounding areas and Andy Looby that covers the Midlands.


www.diyweek.net


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  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50