As he steps into his role as chairman of the GCA, Mike Burks, says: "I'm keen to demonstrate the role that the industry can play in protecting wildlife and the environment, as well as bringing people together through gardening to promote better health and wellbeing.

The managing director of The Gardens Group added: "We are in an enviable position, in that so many trends and needs of the modern world cross our path, so we must work together to make the most of these opportunities as awareness of the plight of our planet grows and conversations about mental health continue to gain prominence.

"Our speakers gave us so much food for thought, as we gathered as an industry to ensure that we are part of the solution rather than contributing to the problem.”