The Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association’s AGM and Day Conference took place on April 15 at Haskins Roundstone Garden Centre and was attended by over 80 members.

During the AGM proceedings the following appointments were announced:

• Colin Wetherley Mein, National Sales Manager for Vitax was voted in as GIMA President
• Nigel Thompson representing Stewarts has taken on the role of Honorary Treasurer
• Chris Ramsden of Suttons Consumer Products and Richard Pyrah from Kelkay remain in their current posts of Vice President and Honorary Secretary respectively

In addition to the existing council of

• Matt Jackson, Briers Ltd
• Rainer Schubert, The Scotts Miracle-Grow Co. Ltd
• Richard Bence, Treadstone Ltd
• Alan Shepherd, Burgon & Ball Ltd
• David Carey, Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds Ltd
• Kate Ebbens, Cadix Ltd
• Chris Holloway, Apta

Five new council member have been nominated to take on responsibilities of Council Membership representing the views of the members, and they are:

• John Gomersall, Forest Garden Ltd
• Simon McArdle, William Sinclairs Ltd
• Mark Butler, Town & Country Ltd
• Jason Perrins, L G Harris Ltd
• Emma Rogers, Westland Horticulture

This brings the GIMA council to its maximum allowed of 16, creating a strong body of voices to represent the industry for the next year.

In his opening address, Colin Wetherley Mein vowed to continue to build on the work done by Steve Millington, building closer relations with fellow trade associations, reaffirming that a unified trade is what is required whilst so much change takes place in the marketplace.  GIMA continues to go from strength to strength with member numbers on the increase, and is looking to the future with optimism.  GIMA will continue to offer enhanced membership benefits and a full calendar of events offering networking opportunities for buyers and sellers.

The Association also reported a healthy financial position and while a small operating loss was recorded, this was mainly due to the costs of an agreed plan of investment in member benefits.

The GIMA Day Conference that followed included presentations from host CEO and future GCA Chairman Julian Winfield, Haskins Buying Director Conna Powles and Alan Roper, CEO of Blue Diamond.  See the May issue of Garden Trade News for reports on the two different visions of how to run and develop successful garden centre groups that were presented.

Membership of GIMA is open to all manufacturers and suppliers of products to garden retail, with a UK or European base.

For further information about GIMA and the benefits membership brings visit www.gima.org.uk or contact the GIMA office on 01959 564947 or email info@gima.org.uk