Ben Clarke from Knights Nags Hall Garden Centre was named as the winner of our 2024 Westland Horticulture sponsored Rising Stars programme at our 2025 Conference (January 27, 2025).
The application process is now open for 2025 nominations. If garden centre managers or owners have an outstanding staff member who would thrive with some personal development, they should seriously consider nominating them for the programme.
This year, the gardening-based programme will be led by Gordon Emslie and will follow a similar structure to previous years. Candidates selected for the programme will participate in a series of workshops and attend various locations and events throughout the year.
The workshops will focus on personal skills, presentation skills, and gaining a broader understanding of the garden centre industry.
A highlight of the programme is a project centred around environmental or sustainability themes, with the Dragons’ Den winners getting the chance to attend and present at our annual conference in January 2026. The programme will emphasise core gardening categories, including plants. The deadline for nominations is March 14.
To request a nomination form, please email info@gca.org.uk. Once received, nominations will be reviewed by a panel of judges who will select the participants.
Being part of the Rising Stars programme is an exceptional opportunity. Nominees will enhance and hone their skills while being mentored by experts in the garden centre industry. This unique coaching will benefit both the individuals and their garden centres, as the knowledge and skills gained will be brought back and implemented within their workplace.
Application form is here.
The closing date for entries is now March 14, 2025.
Workshop 1 – Thurs, March 26 – Peterborough
Workshop 2 – Wed, May 14 – Ellesmere Port
Workshop 3 – Thurs, June 26 – Cambridge
Workshop 4 & 5 – Tues & Wed, Sept 16 & 17 – Allensmore & GLEE
Workshop 6 – Wed, Oct 15 – Dragons’ Den presentations
Workshop 7 – There will be a two-hour Teams call post-Dragons’ Den & pre-Christmas. The final workshop will take place early January 2026.