18 May 2012
How did you get started in the industry? I grew up on a self-sufficient smallholding. We also grew cut flowers, Christmas trees and soft fruits that were sold to local traders. I started working on a production nursery at age 13. With the money I earned, I started to learn about business by buying...
27 Apr 2012
- How did you get started in the industry?
My parents started the garden centre in 1990 from just a six-by-eight-foot greenhouse. I was involved from a very young age, filling pots and labelling plants. In 2011, I completed a BSc in horticulture at Pershore College and have loved working in the garden...
20 Apr 2012
How did you get into the horticulture industry? Through the charity Greenfingers, because it combined my passion for helping children and my interest in gardening.
What does your typical day involve? There is no typical day and that's what makes it such a good job. One day I could be speaking to...
23 Mar 2012
How did you get started in the industry? I was the very first employee of Mr Fothergill's Seeds in 1978. I'd always enjoyed gardening so I jumped at the chance to join this new company as a management trainee. It grew rapidly and I had seven happy years there before moving to Unwins, where I spent...
01 Mar 2012
Brian Sayers, purchasing, IT and technical director, Tates of Sussex Garden Centres.
24 Feb 2012
How did you get started in the industry? Readers with long memories will remember I was a wholesale grower and past chairman of the Midland Regional Growers. In recent years I left wholesaling for the excitement and bright lights of retailing. My time with Coolings started in January this year and...
17 Feb 2012
How did you get started in the industry? My father started Darlac in 1963, importing innovative floral art products from around the world. In 1979, Maggie and I bought a small UK-based tool company. This gradually eclipsed the floristry side of the business and in 1995 we decided to launch our own...
03 Feb 2012
- How did you get started in the industry?
The Leisure Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA) advertised for a company secretary in the Daily Telegraph and I applied and got through the selection process. I started on 1 October 2011 and had a three-month handover from (former LOFA secretary) Richard...
27 Jan 2012
How did you get started in the industry?
When I left school. I spoke to the careers officer and said I wanted to work outside. He suggested agriculture, horticulture or the army.
The army was a non-starter and because I lived in the country I knew agriculture was hard work. Horticulture is equally...
01 Jan 2012
How did you get started in the industry? I previously worked in film PR for around 10 years but made the move into horticulture four years ago because gardening has always been my passion. I worked at another garden centre before moving to Camden Garden Centre 18 months ago. Now my personal interest...