After eight months of hard graft, the five finalists in the Garden Centre Association’s Rising Stars programme, sponsored by Westland, made their final presentations to GCA Conference delegates yesterday.

They took to the stage at the GCA’s annual conference in Chester on Monday, facing a discerning audience of garden industry delegates – who have now voted to choose an overall winner who will be announced at the Annual Dinner later this evening.

The five finalists were: Kirsty Clark (Perrywood GC), Lisa Waim (Haskins Snowhill), Matthew Fay (Stewarts Garden-Lands, Christchurch), Hannah Mason (Chessington) and Cerys Williams (Perrywood)

Their presentations at the GCA Conference in Chester on Monday 26 January were the finale of an eight month programme in which 28 young candidates attended three merchandising Masterclasses run by IBBIS director and training facilitator Ian Boardman. Thanks to Ian’s efforts, many of the Rising Stars, even those who did not make the final cut, went on to increase sales in their departments by keeping hotspots fresh, creating clear signage and organising themed displays throughout the year.

Ian Boardman said: “All the Rising Stars who took part in the programme were top notch and I’d like to thank every single one of them for their efforts and praise them for the progress they have made. The results of their achievements in their workplace prove they are all stars in their own right!”

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland Horticulture said: “On behalf of Westland I’d like to congratulate the Rising Stars finalists for getting this far. We now face a very exciting GCA conference final where delegates will get the chance to vote for the winner – Rising Star of the Year 2014.”

GCA chief executive Iain Wylie said: “The five finalists all made really professional presentations.  Once again Rsing Stars is a highlight of the GCA conference.”

The winner will be announced at the GCA Annual Dinner on Tuesday 27th Janaury.  You'll see the results in a special GTN Xtra LIVE from the Conference on Wednesday morning.

Read the stories of all five finalists by clicking on the ‘associated articles’ links below.



2014 joint winners George Bishop and Will Michieli presenting to last year's conference.