Last week saw the first meeting of our 2023 Rising Stars.
Twenty-two were selected to start our programme and 19 attended the first event hosted by NIAB Cambridge.
They viewed trials featuring composts and fertilisers that include those of Rising Stars sponsor Westland Horticulture.
Westland Horticulture
Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director at Westland Horticulture, says: “The programme, which has been running for more than 10 years, is designed to enable personal growth, mentoring and training of candidates already working within the garden centre industry.
“The feedback we get every year is the driving force to continue the programme and it gives us all great pride seeing the candidates grow and develop professionally over the duration of the programme, providing them with the foundations for a successful career within retail horticulture.”
Supported by Gordon Emslie
During the inaugural event, the attendees also had technical presentations from the Westland team and were assisted and supported by our Inspector, Gordon Emslie, in his capacity as Rising Stars’ coordinator and mentor.
Finalists
Peter Burks, our Chief Executive, says: “Towards the end of the programme, the best performing finalists will be asked to the final workshops in the series and will then be invited to attend our annual conference in January 2024, where they will present their project idea and how it has progressed to the attendees.
“Delegates will then vote for a winner. Gordon will provide coaching in presentation skills in advance of the conference.”