Pictured: The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Board. (Back l-r): Stan Owen, Mark Pitman, Jacqui Prior, Neil Grant, Brett Avery (Front l-r): Jane Lawler, Will Armitage, Fran Barnes, Vicky Nuttall, Alan Down, Geoff Caesar (Not pictured): Martin Rowe and Mike Burks.

The Horticultural Trades Association’s new Non-Executive Directors have attended their first board meeting, bringing their expertise to the table. 

Jacqui Prior, Brett Avery, and Martin Rowe were successfully ratified as Non-Executive Directors at the HTA Annual General Meeting last month. 

They will serve a three-year term on the board to help shape the strategic direction and governance of the member organisation at the heart of UK Environmental Horticulture.

The HTA Board is made up of Non-Executive Directors and Executive Directors – the Chief Executive (Fran Barnes) and the Chief Financial Officer (Stan Owen). The role of Non-Executive Directors is to contribute their knowledge and experience to advise, support and constructively challenge the HTA’s executive staff, to agree the organisation’s business plan and to champion the HTA and the industry to members and wider supporters.

Jacqui Prior, HTA Non-Executive Director, commented:

"I am excited to join the HTA board. I look forward to applying my knowledge and expertise while acting as an ambassador for both the HTA and the wider environmental horticulture sector. I recognise the challenges and opportunities in the horticulture industry and hope to assist the HTA in continually developing to meet the needs of our members."

Brett Avery, HTA Non-Executive Director, added:

“Having spent nearly ten years in the horticulture industry, I’ve gained valuable insight into the needs of growers and the customers they serve. I’m honoured to join the HTA team and look forward to contributing to the organisation’s continued innovation and helping guide future growth and development within the industry.”

The HTA represents more than 1,400 businesses across garden retail, growing, landscaping, design, manufacturing and supply and is a leading voice for a green and growing industry. It delivers political representation, insights, commercial support, and collaboration for members, alongside running the National Garden Gift Card scheme, which secures around £40 million of consumer spend in the sector annually.

Adam Taylor, Matthew Bent and Brian Fraser are all standing down from the Board. The HTA would like to thank the outgoing board members for their time, dedication and expertise.