Perennial has appointed Phil Swainston as Corporate Development Manager to develop its partnerships within the industry. Phil joins Perennial from the HTA and will focus particularly on building new relationships with manufacturers and suppliers to the sector with a view to raising funds and awareness of how the charity helps people in horticulture. 

This year as Perennial marks its 180th anniversary, it aims to reach more people than ever before and to help make that happen, it has strengthened its team with further new appointments within its marketing and fundraising team. James Burns has been appointed Community Fundraising Manager and will lead the initiative to set up a network of community groups across the country, increasing Perennial's volunteer base at a local level. James worked previously at Help for Heroes where he was Regional Manager for London and the South East.

Perennial has also welcomed Claire Humphries as Events Assistant. She will support the events team in organising the growing number of networking and fundraising events the charity offers including the annual Party for Perennial and Festival Dinner, along with its popular programme of garden tours and challenge events.

Phil Swainston comments: "I am looking forward to working with the growing team at Perennial and forging links with even more businesses and organisations that can help us spread the word. In a similar vein to what I have been doing for the past three years at the HTA, I will be looking at the many different ways that we can work with companies including garden centres, growers and suppliers. In the coming months I will be getting out there and talking to as many people as possible. We need support from across the industry to promote a better understand of what Perennial does and to raise money so that we can keep providing the individual, tailored support to the increasing numbers of people that need our help."

Perennial helps anyone who creates or maintains gardens, parks, sports facilities and other green spaces. If you work with plants, trees, gardens, parks or grass, Perennial is your trade charity. Its free and confidential advice, support and financial assistance is often described simply as a 'lifeline'. As the charity celebrates 180 years of helping people in horticulture it is building awareness and support for future.

For more information about Perennial visit: www.perennial.org.uk