The Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA) new Non-Executive Directors have attended their first board meeting, bringing their expertise to the table. Nadine Charlton, Rebecca Grant and Emma Birkbeck were successfully ratified as Non-Executive Directors at the HTA Annual General Meeting (AGM) last month. They will serve a three-year term on the board, helping shape the strategic direction and governance of the member organisation at the heart of UK environmental horticulture.
The HTA Board is made up of Non-Executive Directors and Executive Directors – the Chief Executive, Fran Barnes and the Chief Financial Officer, Stan Owen. The role of Non-Executive Directors is to contribute their knowledge and experience to advise, support and constructively challenge the HTA’s executive staff, to agree the organisation’s business plan and to champion the HTA and the industry to members and wider supporters.
Meet the new HTA Non-Executive Directors
Nadine Charlton has a lifelong passion for historic landscapes and architecture and is an advocate for using traditional methods with the benefit of modern insights and techniques. Passionate about the environment and the importance of green spaces, Nadine is committed to innovation and education, inspiring the next generation. As Director and Founder of Home Spring Gardens, Nadine provides specialist services to the environmental horticulture and landscape construction industry, committed to sustainable best practice and creating beautiful gardens and landscapes with an environmental conscience. Nadine has exhibited personally at RHS shows and has project-managed and advised on multi-award-winning gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Hampton Court, and RHS Malvern.
Nadine Charlton commented: “Living and working in Hampshire, at the heart of horticulture, has given me a strong connection to both the landscape and the industry that cares for it. I am passionate about sustainable land use and demonstrating the very real environmental benefits horticulture can deliver, from biodiversity and mitigating the impacts of climate change to healthier soils and more thoughtful use of resources. Drawing on my former commercial career coupled with my practical experience in conservation and restorative projects, as well as my wider work across the horticultural industry over the last decade, I am delighted to have been appointed as a Non-Executive Director for the Horticultural Trades Association, and I am looking forward to offering my experience to the Association and supporting others in the industry.
Rebecca Grant has more than 35 years’ experience in horticulture. As Horticultural Development Manager at Joseph Rochford Gardens, her role includes a wide range of horticultural, environmental, and industry-related responsibilities, as well as supporting the wider business in maintaining high standards of horticultural practice, environmental responsibility, and operational excellence. She runs the Ornamental Horticulture Assurance Scheme (OHAS) for Rochford’s, ensures compliance with relevant environmental legislation and manages Rochford’s International Rose Trials. Rebecca began her horticultural career at a small retail nursery in Cheshire and, prior to joining Rochford’s, worked at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) in Cambridge, running Plant Breeder's Rights trials.
Rebecca Grant said: “I am passionate about securing a sustainable and competitive UK environmental horticulture sector for HTA members and the wider industry, and I am honoured to be joining the board as a Non-Executive Director. Having been involved with HTA committees for many years, I know the Association’s work is crucial to our sector's competitive survival. I look forward to applying my knowledge and experience so the Horticultural Trades Association can continue to meet the needs of its members and support our sector in thriving.”
Emma Birkbeck joins the HTA Board with experience in commercial leadership, people development and a passion for supporting the growth and success of the horticultural sector. After 20 years in banking, Emma became CEO of an educational charity focused on horticulture; she then spent several years as a leadership coach and trainer, delivering development programmes across the horticultural industry. Emma is currently Managing Director of Fargro, a leading horticultural supplier that supports growers and retailers through technical expertise, holistic growing solutions, horticultural sundries, and an extensive range of decorative pots, planters, and retail products.
Emma Birbeck said: “I’m delighted to have joined the Board of the Horticultural Trades Association as a Non-Executive Director. I’m passionate about the positive impact horticulture can have on our environment, our communities and our wellbeing, and I look forward to helping champion the vital role our industry plays in creating a greener, more sustainable future. I’m keen to support the HTA and its members in promoting the value of environmental horticulture, strengthening the voice of the industry and helping it navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead. I look forward to working with fellow Board members and the wider membership to support a thriving, resilient and forward-looking horticultural sector.”
The HTA represents more than 1,400 businesses across garden retail, growing, landscaping, design, manufacturing and supply, and is a leading voice for green spaces and the green industry. In addition to delivering political representation, insights, commercial support and collaboration for members, the HTA runs the National Garden Gift Card scheme, which secures around £40 million in consumer spend in the sector annually.
As the HTA welcomes three new Non-Executive Directors to its Board, two Board members, Alan Down and Vicky Nuttall, are stepping down. The HTA would like to express its sincere thanks to Alan and Vicky for their significant contributions to the Board, and for the expertise, insight, and commitment they have brought to the HTA and its members.
