The Garden Centre Association has announced that Dennis Espley, of Squires Garden Centre, has become the GCA chairman-elect, taking over from current chairman Martin Stewart in January 2011.
Mr Espley attended the very first meeting of the Association in 1979 when it was still called the ICG (British Group). A GCA spokesperson said: "Dennis comes to the GCA board with a wealth of experience and is well respected within the industry; he will be a great asset to the Association."
Chairmen for the following ten years have also been secured:
Peter Burks, Sanders Garden World (2012/13),
Will Armitage, Armitages Garden Centres (2014/15),
David Little, Poplars Garden Centre (2016/17),
Iain Richardson, Garsons Garden Centres (2018/19)
Tammy Woodhouse, The Millbrook Garden Company (2020/21)