Coolings Nurseries chairman Paul Cooling has been elected to the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) board, replacing Sue Allen, who is retiring from the role.
A long-time supporter of the IGCA, Mr Cooling went to the first International Congress, in Holland in 1978, and since then has attended 18 in total. His appointment continues the UK presence on the international board.

Coolings Nurseries, now with two sites in Kent, evolved in the 1960s and was one of the first to be inspected by the Horticultural Trades Association and accredited as an approved garden centre, this being the forerunner to the Garden Centre Association.