GCA announces chairman elect for 2018/19

by | Mar 2, 2017 | News | 0 comments

Chairman

The Garden?Centre Association? has recently announced its chairman elect for 2018/19.

Mike Lind, who is the managing director of Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre in Somerset, was revealed as the GCA?s chairman elect for 2018/19 during its annual conference, which took place in St Andrews, Scotland.

Mike said: ?When I begin my work as Chairman of the GCA in January, 2018, I will continue to focus on the core benefits of membership and our strategy, which has the following main objectives:

  • Delivering an aspirational members? conference
  • Promote regional activities and networking between members
  • Monthly barometer of trade
  • GROW our e-learning initiative
  • The annual standards?inspection process.

?Above all I want to strive to make sure the GCA remains relevant to the interests of our members and is seen as an association that is beneficial to our businesses but is also fun to be part of.?

Mike will take on the role from current chairman, Julian Winfield, in January 2018. The chairman of the GCA works closely with the GCA executive and full Board of elected directors. The GCA supports constructive relationships with other entities connected with retail and wholesale in the sector and promotes best practice across the industry.?

Iain Wylie, chief executive of the GCA, said: ?I would like to thank Mike for standing for the chairman elect role at our AGM in St. Andrews and congratulate him on being elected unanimously. I look forward to working with Mike this year and in 2018/19 when he becomes chairman. Initially, our main priority will be to organise a conference for January 2018, continuing the success and popularity of these events in recent years.?

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide. Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further details about the GCA conference, please call 01244 952170. Alternatively, please visit www.gca.org.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/Garden-Centre-Association or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association.

more latest news ➡

Steve Morgan

GCR PROFILES STEVE MORGAN, CHAIR OF ZEST OUTDOOR LIVING

A popular and well-known figure in the garden industry, Steve Morgan is the sort of person you would want to be on your side. In many ways he built Zest and the wider P & A Group of which he is also Chair, to the same model. It’s a family business, where the...

autumn

Moving From Summer to Autumn Without Confusing Customers

Seasonal transitions are among the most delicate moments in retail. For garden centres, where atmosphere and emotion drive purchasing decisions, the shift from summer to autumn must feel natural, not abrupt. Customers should sense continuity, not contradiction....

Engineering before technology

Engineering Before Technology

Commercial organisations across the UK are navigating a rapidly changing energy landscape. Energy systems are evolving, regulation is tightening, costs remain challenging,and expectations around sustainability and resilience continue to increase. In this...

Christmas

Why August Matters More Than October for Christmas

For decades, October was considered the unofficial start of Christmas retail, the moment when festive displays appeared, stock arrived, and customers began to think ahead. But in today’s supply‑chain reality, October is no longer early; it’s reactive. The smartest...

spirits

Craft Spirits, Gifting, and Seasonal Tasting Events

Craft spirits have evolved from niche indulgence to mainstream fascination, and garden‑centre retail is increasingly embracing this shift. With customers seeking authenticity, provenance, and experience, craft spirits offer a natural extension of the lifestyle and...

deli and bakery in garden centres

Bakery & Deli Freshness, Display, and the Power of Smell

Few retail experiences are as instantly evocative as walking into a garden‑centre bakery or deli. The scent of freshly baked bread, the sight of golden pastries, and the hum of conversation around the café create an atmosphere that feels both indulgent and...

footwear

The footwear conundrum: A Year‑Round Opportunity

Footwear has quietly become one of the most consistent performers in garden‑centre retail. Once seen as a functional add‑on, it now represents a category that bridges lifestyle, leisure, and practicality, appealing to customers across seasons and demographics. From...









Subscribe ToThe Wednesday Word

Subscribe To
The Wednesday Word

 

Get all the latest news, events & more straight to your inbox every Wednesday.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This