Smart Garden has initiated a 2023 Horticultural Trainee Sponsorship Fund with Colegrave Seabrook Foundation that has resulted in five Smart Award recipients being hosted at Smart’s Eureka building at Peterborough.

The day included presentations by key team members providing insights into the company’s history and goals as well as into logistics, sales, marketing and new product development. Delegates were also shown Smart’s state-of-the-art warehouse and extensive showrooms.

Judged a very enjoyable, educational and fascinating experience by all attendees, Alfie Smith, currently studying for a degree in Plant Science at The Eden Project said: “We are very grateful to Smart for their financial sponsorship as well as for the unique views they have given us today into the workings of a major horticultural business.” Abi Green, who last week graduated as a Crop Technician, with a Distinction, from Pershore College continued: “Smart Garden have shared with us so many aspects of their business and it has been truly enlightening to experience their culture and way of working as well as tour their warehouse and showroom facilities which was fantastic.” 

Neil Gow of Colegrave Seabrook added: “Developing student and industry integration is vital for the future of our sector and forward-thinking businesses like Smart Garden who, as well as supporting our scholarship students financially, are also actively supporting with experience, has such value to the next generation of horticulturalists. The Foundation is truly grateful to the team at Smart Garden Products for the time and energy they have put into this project.” 

Paris Natar, Chairman of Smart also commented: “As a significant supplier to UK garden centres, we are delighted to be playing our small part in helping to bring bright new horticultural talent into the industry. Hopefully today’s visit to the heartbeat of our business will inspire and live long in the memory of Abi, Naomi, Rebecca, Alfie and Ben.”