Andrew Richardson, of Johnson’s of Whixley, is to be the chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Council.
Following last year's announcement of the new HTA Board, the HTA Council is being strengthened and given a clearer mandate to act as the association's principal forum for regional representatives to meet and discuss members' needs and policies and action plans.

Mr Richardson is currently president of the HTA and he will be joined on the HTA Council by the chairman or elected representative from each of the HTA's 14 branches from across the UK.

Four new business development advisers (BDAs) have joined the HTA team. Roger Crookes, formerly manager of Caerphilly Garden Centre, takes over in south Wales, while Chris Snook is the new BDA for south east England and the Channel Islands.

Mike Windsor will support members in the south and south west, with Michele Shirlow taking on a similar role in Northern Ireland.