The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has revealed the new area chairmen who will represent member garden centres in each region this year.
Under the GCA chairmanship of Will Armitage the regions have been tasked to help improve opportunities for members and help them get more from the organisation.

In the South Thames region Jolyon Martin from Chessington Garden Centre has taken over the role of chairman from Tim Mason of Hillier Nurseries and Garden Centres.

Peter Self from Whitehall Garden Centre follows Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre managing director, Mike Lind, as the chairman for the Wales and the West region. Mike has become a directly-elected member of the GCA executive committee.

Will Blake from St Peters Garden Centre has succeeded Philippa McKean for the Midlands area, while the new North West chairman will be Hayes Garden World's Keith Laird, replacing Alyson Haywood, former general manager of Moreton Park Garden Centre.

Yvonne Ritchie from Brechin Castle Garden Centre has taken over as the scottish and northern irish chairman from caulders garden centre managing director Colin Barrie.

James Ducker continues as the chairman for North East, and the position of North Thames chairman is currently open. Anyone who would like to volunteer should email iain@gca.org.uk.

Said Will Armitage: "We're very pleased to have our new area chairmen for 2015 now in place. I hope to see more activity from each region in the coming year and stronger regional groups."

He added: "I would like to thank all our outgoing chairmen for their hard work and commitment, and wish all their replacements every success in their new positions."