Four individuals from Garden Centre Association ( GCA ) penis garden centers have been announced as finalist in the industry organic structure ’s Rising Stars programme shop at by Westland Horticulture ( October 2024 ) . The staff were put ahead by their garden centers for the scheme and take away part in a series of workshops during 2024 .
GCA inspector , Gordon Emslie , who mentor 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 finalist really surpass , and this year is no exclusion .
" The initiative would not die hard without the first-class partnership between the GCA and Westlands . I would like to give thanks both organization for showing such grand exuberance and committal to the scheme and for wholeheartedly supporting the growth of our confrere in the sphere . "
All the candidates undertook projects , within their garden center , which ran from March to September . They then presented them to a Dragon ’s Den jury of judges in October , who scored them and the final four were the top - scoring projects .
Gordon append : " This season ’s Rising Stars have again been of an striking caliber of people employed in the garden centre of attention industry . The commitment , exuberance and tenacity shown by them all to deliver a sustainability or environmental project has been excellent . Every one of them should be extremely proud of their journeying on this year ’s program and of how well they all did presenting at the Dragons Den .
" Each of them tackle authoritative issues around sustainability and surround , which far too many of us take for concede . They have all been very broad in their glide path to this yr ’s undertaking .
" They have all face challenges during the yr , which the programme is designed to flush out . As examination as those were , they have all been committed to delivering their projects , as well as having the decision to see them through .
" I personally have found it a very humbling experience work with all this year ’s candidates and I am proud to have been their mentor again this yr . "
Gordon Emslie
The finalists will acquaint their labor at the 2025 GCA Conference at the De Vere Wokefield Estate near recital on Monday , January 27 and partake with the hearing how the rise star programme has helped them spring up during the preceding 10 month .
A final winner will be vote for by conference delegate and crown at the outcome .
Gina Lewis , Social & Content Marketing Manager at Westland Horticulture , said : " Garden center and the incredible team that work within them , are decisive to the winner and succeeding increment of the UK horticulture industry . At Westland , we are passionate about supporting the succeeding stars of the industry and we are captivated to continue to frequent and support this twelvemonth ’s Rising Stars on their journey over the last 12 calendar month to the GCA group discussion .
" The introduction they have prepared , with Gordon ’s counseling , are thought - agitating , insightful and modern , highlighting the vast voltage of this talented group . Each Rising Star has brought added time value to their eye with their projects and kept a focus on sustainability at the heart of everything they have done . We wish them the good of luck as they move to the next stage of the competition and hope they continue to make a real difference to our manufacture as their careers build up . "
The GCA represents more than 200 garden centers nationwide .
For more information : Garden Centre AssociationTel . : 01244 952170[email protected]gca.org.uk
