New council announced for GIMA
Published: 27 March 2017 - Jenny Wonnacott
The Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) annual general meeting took place last week at Horticulture House in Oxfordshire, with more than 80 members in attendance.
New faces join the familiar on the GIMA council for 2017/18
During the proceedings Chris Ramsden of Hozelock was re-elected as GIMA president for another year, as was Richard Pyrah of Kelkay as vice president. Kate Ebbens of Cadix remains in the role of honorary secretary and Nigel Thompson of Nigel Thompson Associates (representing Stewarts) retains the role of honorary treasurer.
It was agreed at the 2016 AGM that the GIMA Council would be reduced from 16 to 12 at the 2017 AGM, enabling a smaller but more accountable council of representatives to move the Association forward. The rest of the GIMA Council for 2017/18 is made up of the following:
Matt Jackson, Briers Ltd
David Carey, Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds Ltd
Chris Holloway, Thompson & Morgan
John Gomersall, Forest Garden
Mark Butler, Town & Country
Simon McArdle, Westland Horticulture
Heather Culpan, Burgon & Ball
Craig Hall, Deco Pak
During his address, GIMA President Chris Ramsden of Hozelock said: “GIMA continues to work tirelessly for its members. They are the reason we exist and we will continue to develop our membership benefits around them.”
He thanked the GIMA members for their support and encouragement and also the GIMA Council & Hozelock for their support during 2016. Mr Ramsden continued: “I look forward to working with Vicky & the team towards GIMA’s goals in 2017.”
The association also reported a strong financial position with a healthy operating profit being recorded.
GIMA membership continues to grow steadily, with a net growth of 3% being recorded in 2016 and plans to grow again in 2017.
New full members to GIMA include Aigle International, Ailsa Wood Products, Corona Tools, Coleman, Durston Garden Products, Future Thinking Retail, Onduline Building Products, Pantharella, Pots of Distinction, PondExpert, Rollins Bulldog Tools, Teleview Marketing, TopBuxus Growing Solutions, Unipet International, Urban10 Essentials, VivaGreen, Wagner Systems GmbH, Wilma’s Lawn & Garden Ltd, Fargro, Garden Pride Marketing, Ecoegg, Wilstone and Select IP. Cedar Associates has also joined GIMA as a new Associate Member.