Glee Buyers Power List Winners Revealed

The Glee Buyers Power List was set up to recognise the individual buyers and buying teams who have gone above and beyond to make a difference within the garden retail industry this year.

This year’s Buyers Power List was voted for by readers of Glee Daily News and GTN Xtra. When voting closed at midnight last night (Tuesday) almost 1,000 votes had been made.

Speaking at the Glee Buyers Power List awards ceremony, which was well attended by retailers and suppliers alike, Glee’s Event Director Matthew Mein said: “The Glee Buyers Power List was set up to recognise some of the most essential of our industry employees - garden retail buyers. After the most challenging of times for retail in general we are particularly proud to announce this year’s winners, who’ve done so much to keep trade buoyant and in good shape as we carve out a new normal. The biggest possible congratulations are due to all the very worthy winners and the many excellent shortlisted nominees.”

The winners received their awards at a special presentation at lunchtime.

The Nominations and Winners 2021

Plants Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

Andy Bunker – Alton Garden Centre
Marcus Cousins – Aylett Nurseries
Will Clark – Barton Grange
Tom Cook, Rod Austin & Julian Palphramand - British Garden Centres
Mel Livingstone - Fron Goch
Jessica Logan – RBG Kew

Winner: Marcus Cousins – Aylett Nurseries

Garden Care Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

Derek Bunker – Alton Garden Centre
Andy Matthews & Paul Williams – British Garden Centres
Ian Underwood – B&Q
Keith Wilbin – Downtown Garden Centre
Matt Shorter - Longacres
Ross Allen – Milestone Garden Centre
Duncan Wills – Stewarts Garden Centre

Winner: Duncan Wills – Stewarts Garden Centre

Outdoor Leisure Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

Ian Richardson - Garsons
Keith Laird – Hayes Garden World
Matt Shorter – Longacres
Darran Oakley – Squires
Peter Self – Whitehall Garden Centres

Winner: Darran Oakley – Squires

Landscape Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

John Birch – Baytree Garden Centre
David Danning - Blue Diamond
Dan Kirby – British Garden Centres
Paul Smith - Chessington Garden Centre
Scott Provan – Klondyke
Mick Bruniges – Oaktree Garden Centre
Jack Slater – Summerseat Garden Centre
Michelle Thompson – Thompsons Garden Centres

Winner: Dan Kirby – British Garden Centres

Home & Gifts Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

Emma Davis – British Garden Centres
Sarah Cooksley – Dobbies
Claire Jenner - Frosts
Geoff Stapleton – Gates Garden Centre

Winner: Emma Davis – British Garden Centres

Pet Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

Sue Shaw - B&M
Zack Sargent – Bents Garden & Home
Chessington Garden Centre
Dan Reep – Squires Garden Centres

Winner: Chessington Garden Centre

Retail Food & Drinks Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

Claire Bryce - Barton Grange
Melanie Sykes - Bents
Phil Hales – Gates Garden Centre
Longacres

Joint Winners: Claire Bryce - Barton Grange and Longacres

Christmas Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

David Danning - Blue Diamond
Chris Slack - Frosts
Michelle Martin – Haskins
Stuart Whalley – Rosebourne

Winner: Chris Slack – Frosts

Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more

Blue Diamond
British Garden Centres
Caulders
Dobbies
Hillier Garden Centres
Klondyke
Notcutts
Squires Garden Centres

Winner: British Garden Centres

Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores

Alton Garden Centre
Aylett Nurseries
Gates Garden Centre
Haskins
Longacres
Rosebourne Garden Centres
Thompsons Garden Centres
Webbs

Winner: Aylett Nurseries

Matthew Mein added: “I would also like to thank all those who took time to vote for their retail superstar, every one of whom deserved to be recognised. Hard-working retail staff are the lifeblood of our industry and I’m delighted so many people also felt they deserved to be recognised at the Glee Buyers Power List Awards.”