UK industry body HTA appoints Director of Public Affairs

DIDCOT, UK: The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), the trade association for the UK garden industry, has appointed a Director of Public Affairs, reinforcing its commitment to working with the government to champion the interest of its members.

Jennifer Pheasey will take up the newly created role in September, bringing 17 years’ experience in policy and government affairs roles with leading membership organisations and across a breadth of policy areas, including environmental and regulatory issues.

She is currently Head of Policy at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), where over the last 12 years, she has overseen a team that covers policy, economics, trade, and government affairs in the UK as well as the SMMT’s Brussels office.

Jennifer’s work with SMMT has involved engagement with a wide range of political and other stakeholders while working closely with members. Most recently, she led the organisation’s COVID-19 task force as well as its Competitiveness and Industrial Strategy workstream.

Jennifer said: “I am excited to be joining the expert HTA team and to work in a sector that is so important to the UK’s economy, employment, and environment as well as to wider society.

“At such an important time in the development and making of policy, I look forward to bringing my experience from another leading trade body to help build on HTA’s successes and will continue to ensure its members are heard and listened to in key debates and decisions that impact their businesses.”

Previous roles that Jennifer has held include Senior External Affairs Advisor at manufacturers’ organisation, EEF – now known as Make UK – and political researcher at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey.

James Barnes, HTA Chairman, said: “I am pleased to welcome Jennifer to the HTA and am confident that she will further strengthen the team’s track record and that of our ongoing work with lobbying and government. Jennifer is very experienced in policy and government affairs which will stand us in good stead for what is a critical time for our industry.”

Jennifer’s appointment follows HTA’s recent appointment of two non-executives to its board.