Members of the Garden Centre Association are being encouraged to nominate their employees for the Rising Stars 2015 programme sponsored by Westland Horticulture. 

Nominations are now open for garden centres to put forward their staff before Wednesday, February 25.

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, explained: “Our Rising Stars programme, which is sponsored by Westland Horticulture, has been a huge success over the past six years and we’re hoping for even bigger and better things in 2015.

“If garden centre managers or owners feel they have a member of staff who has gone above and beyond the call of duty and is a rising star within the business, then they should seriously consider putting them forwards for the programme.”

Once collected, the nominations will then be put to a panel of judges, who will confirm the participants for 2015.

They will all be invited to take part in a series of workshops held by Training Facilitator, Ian Boardman, on topics such as merchandising.

Candidates’ work will be assessed throughout the year to review the various elements on which the finalists have received training. The best performing participants will be invited to the 2016 GCA conference where they will showcase some of their work to the audience and talk about the difference it has made. A final winner will then be voted for by conference attendees.

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland Horticulture, said: “Encouraging new and emerging talent is essential for the future of our industry, bringing fresh ideas and inspiration. That’s why Westland will continue to invest heavily in training for garden centre staff and will once again support the next Rising Stars programme.”

For a nomination form, please email info@gca.org.uk

Pictured: The Rising Stars from 2014 at the GCA conference with Westland's Edward Conroy (far left) and John McDowell (far right).