Thirty-four team members from a Bradford garden centre group are celebrating the successful completion of an internal training programme which identifies and nurtures talent.

Yorkshire Garden Centre Group’s ‘Great by Nature’ programme was established to develop individuals identified by their managers as emerging talent with high potential for growth within the multi-site business.

During the six month course, team members covered four modules including Understanding Self and Leadership Traits, Emotional Intelligence and Mentoring/Coaching and Managing the Employee Lifecycle, before a final presentation and reflection session where delegates shared personal learnings, changes and challenges, plus future aspirations and development plans.

The annual programme is organised by People and Culture Business Partner, Becki Smith, who said: “The Great by Nature development programme is designed to identify, inform and inspire future leaders. We’re very proud of this year’s cohort and have already seen some fantastic outcomes. The aim has been to build confidence, capability and a leadership pipeline for the future, and many of the cohort have already stepped up to new responsibilities as a result.”

This year’s programme, which was open to team members from all departments at the group’s seven garden centres, has led to development opportunities for the following team members:

• Annie Hanson - Catering Supervisor at Otley, now Catering Senior Supervisor at Bingley
• Jess Reilly - Promoted to Grasshoppers Kitchen Supervisor at Tong
• Carys Paul - From Blooms Team Leader to Blooms Supervisor at Tong
• Emma Telford - from Plant Assistant to Plant Supervisor at Tingley
• Mel Martin - from Tills/Customer Service Team Leader to Hearty's Supervisor at Otley

Ms Martin is now Hearty's Supervisor at Otley: “This programme has given me the tools to lead with confidence and bring out the best in others. I’ve been able to use what I’ve learned every day in my new role at Hearty’s, from coaching team members to managing busy service periods more effectively.”

Mrs Smith concludes: “It’s really important that the learning doesn’t stop once the course ends. Now in its fourth year, Great by Nature has reached a significant portion of our leadership team across the business. Managers are encouraged to support their teams in keeping the learning alive by using the models and techniques shared during the course, and by actively role modelling the traits of a great leader in day to day practice.”

The Yorkshire Garden Centres group comprises Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley and Pennine Garden Centres, plus Dean’s York and Scarborough.