Ben Clarke from Knights Nags Hall Garden Centre was named as the winner of 2024 Westland Horticulture-sponsored Rising Stars programme at the Garden Centre Association’s 2025 Conference.

Ben was declared the best Rising Star after his presentation received the most votes from delegates at the conference in Reading where applications also opened for this year’s programme.

Peter Burks, GCA Chief Executive, says: “I would like to congratulate our other finalists, Dan Furley from Millbrook Garden Centre – Gravesend, Josh Rigg from Klondyke Garden Centre – Wilmslow and Gayna Barnard of Bents Home & Garden, for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout. They should all be justly proud of their achievements.

“We had four brilliant presentations, so it was very hard deciding who to vote for but, in the end, Ben came out top.”

GCA garden centre members can now nominate staff for the 2025 Rising Stars programme and all the details are on the organisation’s website.

The closing date for entries is March 7, 2025.

The GCA represents more than 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 information and to nominate a Rising Star for 2025, please visit www.gca.org.uk.