Federation of Garden & Leisure Manufacturers appoints new trade manager

The Federation of Garden & Leisure Manufacturers has appointed Susan Fairley as its trade federation manager across Gardenex, PetQuip and the Commercial Horticultural Association (CHA).

She will replace Pat Flynn, who is retiring at the end of May.

Fairley is a familiar face in the industry, having worked in the garden and horticulture, pet, home and gift sectors for over 20 years. She has been part of the team responsible for the marketing of Glee, Spring Fair and Autumn Fair for a large part of her career. She has additional experience in the automotive, transport and energy sectors, as well as an understanding of supplying and importing/exporting during her time at White Pebble, a distributor for North American companies launching into the UK and other European markets.

Fairley said, “I’m looking forward to making new contacts and renewing connections with suppliers at spoga+gafa, Glee and Four Oaks and to taking an active role in organising the prestigious PetQuip Awards and Dinner at the PATS exhibition in Telford this Autumn.

“Susan has a long-held enthusiasm for both the people and products in the garden and pet sectors, which continues in the rest of her life, as a keen garden, vegetable patch and dog owner,” read a statement. “We are very grateful for Pat’s enthusiasm and valuable contribution to the Federation over many years. Pat will be much missed by us all but the lure of foreign travel and exploring different countries with her retired husband, Paul, was too strong a pull for her!”