During the proceedings Chris Ramsden of Hozelock was re-elected as GIMA President for another year, as was Richard Pyrah of Kelkay as Vice President.  Kate Ebbens of Cadix remains in the role of Honorary Secretary and Nigel Thompson of Nigel Thompson Associates (representing Stewarts) retains the role of Honorary Treasurer.

It was agreed at the 2016 AGM that the GIMA Council would be reduced from 16 to 12 at the 2017 AGM, enabling a smaller but more accountable council of representatives to move the association forward. The rest of the GIMA Council for 2017/18 is made up of the following:

• Matt Jackson, Briers Ltd
• David Carey, Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds Ltd
• Chris Holloway, Thompson & Morgan
• John Gomersall, Forest Garden
• Mark Butler, Town & Country
• Simon McArdle, Westland Horticulture
• Heather Culpan, Burgon & Ball
• Craig Hall, Deco Pak

During his address, GIMA President Chris Ramsden of Hozelock said: “GIMA continues to work tirelessly for its members.  They are the reason we exist and we will continue to develop our membership benefits around them.’” He thanked the GIMA members for their support and encouragement and also the GIMA Council & Hozelock for their support during 2016.  Chris continued: “I look forward to working with Vicky & the team towards GIMA’s goals in 2017.”

The Association also reported a strong financial position with a healthy operating profit being recorded.

GIMA membership continues to grow steadily, with a net growth of 3% being recorded in 2016 and plans to grow again in 2017.

New full members to GIMA include Aigle International, Ailsa Wood Products, Corona Tools, Coleman, Durston Garden Products, Future Thinking Retail, Onduline Building Products, Pantharella, Pots of Distinction, PondExpert, Rollins Bulldog Tools, Teleview Marketing, TopBuxus Growing Solutions, Unipet International, Urban10 Essentials, VivaGreen, Wagner Systems GmbH, Wilma’s Lawn & Garden Ltd, Fargro, Garden Pride Marketing, Ecoegg, Wilstone and Select IP.  Cedar Associates has also joined GIMA as a new Associate Member.

Membership of GIMA is open to all manufacturers and suppliers of products to the garden retail sector, with a UK or European base.

For further information about GIMA and the benefits membership brings visit www.gima.org.uk or contact the GIMA office on 01959 564947 or email info@gima.org.uk