The Young People in Horticulture Association has announced David Salisbury, Director at Farplants, as its newest Ambassador, as the organisation continues to strengthen its foundations and prepare for long-term sustainability beyond its founding team.

David brings extensive leadership experience from both within and outside horticulture. Alongside his role at Farplants, he holds two non-executive positions in the not-for-profit sector: one with a health and social care organisation supporting adults and children with special needs and autism, and another with Think Equal, an international social and emotional learning organisation operating in over 80 countries worldwide.

David has supported YPHA for a number of years, and his formal appointment as Ambassador recognises the mentorship and sounding-board role he has already been providing. He joins Chris Moncrieff, Liz Dowling, Pippa Greenwood, Michael Perry, Boyd Douglas-Davies and Jane Lawler, who each play an integral role in advising the association’s committee.

“David is someone whose opinion we have always relied on and valued,” said YPHA/MorePeople’s Sarah Want. “His experience in business development, strategy and long-term planning brings a perspective that helps us make better decisions. Having someone who can coach and challenge us as we strengthen the organisation is incredibly valuable.”

David Salisbury added:
“I am delighted to be joining the Young People in Horticulture Association as an Ambassador. In a short time, YPHA has united over 1,300 young professionals, encouraged collaboration across the sector, and championed the future of horticulture with real passion and purpose. Their commitment to education, innovation and creating a supportive community for under-35s is genuinely inspiring, and I am proud to play a part in supporting their next phase.”

As part of this wider programme of change, YPHA has begun to move member communications from Discord back to WhatsApp, using the platform’s Communities feature. All members have now been sent a link to join the new Community. Any members who have not received this are encouraged to check their junk folder and then email admin@ypha.org.uk if they have any further questions.

YPHA Committee Member and HTA Membership Engagement Manager Jeremy Costello added:
“When YPHA first moved away from WhatsApp, the Communities feature did not exist and the group had grown beyond the platform’s limits, meaning access could have been restricted or removed at any time. Discord provided a necessary solution and bought us valuable time during a period of rapid growth.

Now that WhatsApp Communities is established and here to stay, we believe it is the right moment to bring conversation back to a space people already check every day. The new structure is designed to be a happy medium between the lightning-speed responses - but sometimes overwhelming pace - of the original WhatsApp group, and the more diluted, slower-moving environment that Discord could sometimes create. This will help members connect more naturally, reduce fragmentation, and recentre the community in a single shared home as YPHA enters its next phase.”

With strong industry support, trusted mentors and clearer foundations for the future, YPHA continues to position itself as a long-term force for the next generation of horticultural professionals.