British businessman and former Tesco boss, Sir Terry Leahy will top the programme at the Cultivating Retail conference this autumn

The former Tesco plc chief executive, who has an active interest in the garden industry as a shareholder of Dobbies, will talk about the opportunities and interest around horticulture and draw on his experiences to talk about sustainability and the customer.

HTA chairman James Barnes commented: “We are delighted that Sir Terry will be joining our Cultivating Retail programme, which focuses on sustainability issues facing the garden industry. This provides a unique opportunity for all of us to hear from one of the key business leaders of our time and his thoughts on some of the opportunities within horticulture, supply chains and how issues around sustainability might influence the consumer.”

Sir Terry Leahy took up the role of Tesco plc chief executive in March 1997 - a position he held for 14 years – and was instrumental in driving the sustainability agenda at the grocer. He received a Knighthood for services to food retailing in the 2002 New Year’s Honours and, in the same year, was made a Freeman of the City of Liverpool. He is also a member of the Liverpool Enterprise Partnership Advisory Board. Sir Terry has received many accolades as a business leader over the years and is now a part-time senior advisor to US private equity firm, Clayton Dubilier & Rice, as well as holding various chair and executive committee memberships.

Creating a sustainable future for the garden industry is the key theme behind this year’s Cultivating Retail event, which is jointly hosted by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA), and sponsored by Evergreen Garden Care. Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Daisy McAndrew, the conference works to bring together retailers, suppliers and growers to enjoy a mix of strategic and inspirational content.

The programme will include the latest consumer attitudes and thoughts on what sustainability means for the garden industry including key topics such as biosecurity, growing media, plastics, labour/skills, water and pesticides, and at the same time what a significant role our industry can play in delivering the UK’s environmental plans and climate change ambitions.

Cultivating Retail takes place at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on November 19. For further details about speakers and to book your place please visit www.hta.org.uk/cultivatingretail or email events@hta.org.uk.