Homebase managing director Echo Lu has joined the line-up for the HTA Garden Futures Conference, which takes place on 30 September at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire.

Described as an ‘agent for positive change’, Echo joined the Home Retail Group board of Homebase in April 2015, following 10 years with Tesco for 10 years in various roles in Asia and the UK, including a non-executive director’s role for Dobbies Garden Centres.  She as joins Homebase shifts from a DIY chain to a home enhancement store.

The theme for this year’s conference, sponsored by Hozelock and Scotts Miracle-Gro, is ‘Embracing Change’ and the programme will include a panel session about what the changing landscape means for garden retail. Panellists include Matthew Bent, MD of Bents Garden & Home, Sam Bosworth, director of Choice Marketing and Julian Winfield, chief executive of Haskins Garden Centres.

Other speakers include Simon Jack, business and economics presenter for Radio 4’s Today Programme who will provide a topical overview of the current economic climate and Dennis Reid from Retail Performance Specialists who will look at how retailers should respond to the changing retail environment.

The conference gala dinner will include presentation of the HTA Pearson Medal and GTN’s The Greatest Garden Centre Team Awards. This year’s after dinner speaker is former BBC senior weatherman Bill Giles OBE, who will provide an insightful and entertaining look at the subject that everyone, especially those in the garden industry, likes to talk about.