Plant Advisor named ‘Westland Rising Star’

Our Plant Advisor Will Michieli has recently (January, 2014) been named a ‘Westland Rising Star’ in a national competition.

Will was awarded the title at the recent Garden Centre Association (GCA) annual conference as part of Westland Horticulture’s Rising Stars programme. 

Will was nominated for the award by us and went up against 11 other candidates. He made it to the final four and was selected as one of two winners of the prestigious competition.

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director of Westland Horticulture, said: “The 2013 Rising Stars Programme was launched at the GCA Conference in January and 12 applicants were shortlisted to four for the full programme, these were all go-getting ambitious individuals – two were promoted within their businesses during the year. As the whole process was so successful, in 2014 we’re hoping for a greater number of applicants.”

The 2013 programme included three seasonal workshops facilitated by Ian Boardman, which were sponsored by Westland Horticulture. These were aimed at increasing awareness of key merchandising skills and then those involved were able to try these ideas back at their own garden centres.

As part of the prize, Will was invited to make a short presentation at the GCA conference to explain what he did, how it helped him and how it improved his garden centre.

Keith added: “I would like to congratulate Will on receiving such a prestigious title and there is no doubt he will live up to it. I would like to wish him all the luck for the future as I predict big things from him.”

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide. Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.