The Young People in Horticulture Association has completed the final block of its inaugural Management Development Programme, marking the culmination of a nine-day residential course designed to build the next generation of leaders within horticulture.

Led by leadership specialist Lindsay Muir of Cedar Associates, the programme combined classroom learning, team-based exercises and practical leadership development. Over three residential blocks, delegates explored core leadership principles, developed their management approach and built strong peer networks across the industry.

The final block concluded with delegate presentations, where participants shared their key learnings and how they are already applying them within their businesses and within the work of YPHA.

Participants represented a broad cross-section of the industry, including Hillier, Cook’s Garden Centre, The Secret Garden Centre, GrowTropicals, Fron Goch Garden Centre, Hartley’s Nurseries, Kerley & Co, the HTA, Old Railway Line Garden Centre, Klondyke Garden Centres, New Leaf Plants and Happy Plants, with members of the YPHA Committee forming part of this cohort.

The programme closed with a celebration dinner sponsored by the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, who also supported the course as a key funding partner. The evening was attended by members of the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation team, alongside senior industry figures including Will Armitage, President of the HTA, and Boyd Douglas-Davies Chairman of the EHG, who is also a YPHA Ambassador.

Lindsay Muir of Cedar Associates added: “This programme has been a landmark for YPHA and an absolute pleasure to deliver. We set aside 30 minutes at the start of each block to review what delegates had implemented between sessions, but each time it stretched closer to two hours. That says everything about the level of passion, commitment and peer support within the group. People weren’t just attending, they were applying, challenging each other and making real progress between blocks.”

Hannah Cook of Cook’s Garden Centre added: “This course was a genuinely transformative and eye-opening experience for me. As my first formal management training, it highlighted where I had gaps in my knowledge and gave me the practical tools to improve. Coming from a small family business, I wouldn’t normally have access to something like this. The mix of delegates from across the industry made it even more valuable, creating space for real discussion, shared learning and strong connections. I’ve come away with greater confidence, a clearer sense of direction in my role, and relationships that will last well beyond the course. I cannot thank Lindsay, the YPHA or the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation enough.”

Stuart Lowen of the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation added: “We were delighted to partner with YPHA in supporting this Management Development Programme, which sits right at the heart of our focus on developing people in horticulture. The programme exceeded expectations, which was clear from the delegates’ presentations on the final evening. The energy, enthusiasm and commitment in the room was outstanding, and every one of the 12 delegates is a credit to their business. I’m confident they will take forward what they’ve learned and go on to become the future leaders of our industry.”

A central aim of the programme was accessibility. Each place was 75% subsidised, with employers contributing the remaining 25%. Funding was delivered through a combination of industry support, including the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, alongside proceeds from YPHA’s Launch Success Challenge.

Several places were intentionally allocated to individuals who would not otherwise have been able to access formal leadership training, reinforcing YPHA’s commitment to widening opportunity across the sector.

The programme was also designed as part of YPHA’s long-term strategy to ensure the organisation can outlast its founding team, by equipping both current committee members and the wider membership with the leadership capability needed to sustain and grow the organisation into the future.

Following the success of the first cohort, YPHA is now looking to repeat the programme and is actively seeking both delegate and course sponsors to maintain accessibility and expand its reach.

Anybody who wishes to discuss support is encouraged to reach out to the YPHA Committee via admin@ypha.org.uk