The HTA has congratulated its Senior Events Executive, Harley Coles, and the Policy, Public Affairs and Media Team for reaching the prestigious Trade Association Forum Awards finals.

Amidst a record number of entries for the 2024 Awards, a series of shortlisting panels convened throughout December 2023 to identify the best in each category, culminating in this fantastic achievement for the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and its outstanding work over the past year.

Harley Coles is a finalist for the Rising Star award sponsored by the CIPR. Her nomination recognises the professional excellence she consistently demonstrates, along with her leadership qualities in managing her team to deliver outstanding results. Her leadership in orchestrating the HTA’s inaugural trade stand presence at the Chelsea Flower Show, resulting in a 4* award from the RHS judging team, is a shining example of her capabilities.

On learning of her finalist status, Harley said: “It was a real shock that I was nominated, so to be a finalist is an absolute honour and tribute to the support I’ve had from my wonderful team and colleagues in producing this year’s ambitious events programme.”

The Policy, Public Affairs, and Media Teams are finalists for Team of the Year, sponsored by PoliMonitor. Over the last 14 months, the team has undergone a transformative journey, focusing on engaging policy-makers and the media on crucial UK environmental horticulture, green spaces and garden industry issues. Their influence extends nationally and internationally, covering areas such as international trade, transition from peat-use, business taxation, skills, and water.

Jennifer Pheasey, who heads up the team as Director of Public Affairs, said: “This is a great recognition for the team who have grasped all opportunities over the last year to engage on multiple policy areas for our members, meeting policy-makers from Number 10 to Holyrood, supporting the House of Lords Horticulture Committee through to our recent successful Plants in Parliament event to help raise the sector’s profile.”

The final judging panel will meet in the new year to decide the winners, with the results announced at the ceremony on Thursday, 22nd February 2024. Congratulations to the entire HTA for this well-deserved recognition. Best of luck at the awards ceremony!

You can view the shortlist here: https://tafawards.org/2024-shortlist/