GIMA has pulled together an impressive list of judges for this year's awards, including Mike Wyatt, the editor of Garden Trade News.
Here is the full list of judges:
Andy Smith Garden Plant Buyer, Waitrose New responsibilities for the latest entrant to the garden retail market, Andy is looking forward to using his many years experience built up working for growers and retailers from the independent to the chains. Having a reputation for quality and value and with the Waitrose Way championing British production the opportunities opening up are enormous.
Conna Powles Buying Director Haskins Garden Centres Following 6 years with the Hobbycraft, Conna has responsibility for all the buying decisions for the £30million+ turnover across the garden centre group. She has previous experience in buying roles with Sainbury’s based in London and Beales Department Store.
Gareth Evans Aquatic, Pet and Fisheries Manager, Burston Garden Centre With many years retail experience in the garden, aquatic and pet industries, Gareth believes that the modern Garden Centre offers a fantastic shopping experience for customers and a great sales channel for a diverse range of quality products.
Jo Wood Associate Buyer QVC: Garden, DIY, Security and Petcare Having worked in buying at QVC for over 5 years across different product categories with suppliers in US, Europe and the Far East to source, design and select the best range of products to maximise our sales in everything gardening and leisure. Recently we have expanded into new categories including bird and pet care.
Mike Wyatt Editor, Garden Trade News Working in garden publishing for 32 years – 11 years editing a string of consumer gardening magazines and the past 21 years as Editor of Garden Trade News the industries monthly he knows a lot! An enthusiastic gardener, a self-confessed plantaholic, a beekeeper and he retains a fervent belief in the potential of suppliers and retailers to shape the nation’s gardening habits through the products they sell.
Peter Burks Chairman, The Garden Centre Association Peter has been in the garden retail sector most of his working life managing centres in both the independent and group sectors. As Chairman Peter is seeing a wide cross section of business and has a great knowledge of what is ‘on trend’.
Phillippa Nickson Gardening and Season Buyer for British Garden Centres Experienced in buying across a number of categories including Christmas and Giftware, with more recent experience in Gardening, Birdcare and Pet. 15 years hands on experience in General Management across the growing British Garden Centres group, now numbering 8, Phillippa has a great deal of experience with both the product, pricing and customer requirements.
Simon Moore Gardening Buyer, Wilkinsons Stores Responsible for a product category that generates turnover in excess of £130 million a year. With 12 years experience in this role Simon has a great deal of experience in terms of new product development, trends and pricing appeal.
Tim Rumball Editor, Amateur Gardening Magazine Tim's been gardening for over thirty years yet his trade is as a journalist, with a background in local and national newspapers including the Daily Star and the Sunday Mirror, and now Amateur Gardening, Britain’s biggest selling weekly gardening title.
Tristan Sissons Gardencare Buyer, The Garden Centre Group Responsible for the largest buying category in the group. With experience in out of town, high street and destination retailers he understands the different approaches required for each of these channels and with a keen understanding of product pricing, display, presentation and promotion.
