GCA announces chairman elect for 2024/2025

Will-Blake, GCA chairman, Ben Harrison GCA chairman-elect for 2024-25 and Peter Burks.

The UK’s Garden Centre Association (GCA) has announced its chairman elect for 2024/25.

Ben Harrison, who is operations director of Haskins Garden Centres, is stepping into the role and will become chairman at the GCA’s annual conference in January 2026.

Ben says: “I’m delighted to be taking on this prestigious position, having previously been the organisation’s Treasurer. I’m really looking forward to my chairmanship. I’m so grateful to be following in the footsteps of our current chairman, Will Blake, who is showing excellent leadership and is inspirational in his approach and energy.

“In my tenure, I hope to continue our ongoing drive to recruit more new members, while ensuring we support all our current ones and focus on the core benefits of our membership, including delivering a motivational 2026 members’ conference, promoting the importance of our regional meetings and our vital standards-driven inspection process.

“It’s important we’re there for our members, not just to help them with their businesses and any issues currently affecting them, but also as a valuable voice in the industry and by offering opportunities for socialising and networking with each other. Through sharing and spotlighting best practice, we’re stronger together.”

As chairman elect of the GCA, and also when he’s chairman, Ben will work closely with the GCA executive and full board of elected directors.

Peter Burks, chief executive of the GCA, says: “I am thrilled Ben has agreed to be our new Chairman Elect. I would like to congratulate him on being elected by our members during our last AGM meeting.

“I am really looking forward to working with Ben this year as he heads up several of the work streams we are currently working on.”

The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres in the UK.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme, the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For more information, visit www.gca.org.uk