Support for garden retailing figures heavily in restructuring.
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is restructuring to be 'fit for purpose' for the next ten years.

Called 'strengthening the core team', the HTA says personnel changes will allow it to meet the needs of its members in a rapidly changing marketplace.

The changes, which should benefit garden retailers, include:

a pressing 'need' to promote gardening more effectively to the public;

additional market research on key issues (e.g. the environment), operational opportunities (e.g. catering) and sales performance;

and engaging with businesses and organisations involved in the wider outdoor living market.

The personnel changes are:
Finance & administration director - Paul Basham: will take over responsibility for all aspects of the HTA's financial management, investment management, administration, HR and systems.

Director of Marketing - Andrew Maxted: takes over as director of a new marketing department, which will embrace promotions, market research and information, events and conferences.

Director of business development - Tim Briercliffe: will additionally take over responsibility for the retail development agenda.

All three, along with the PR team, will report directly to director general David Gwyther.