The Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA) has welcomed its second cohort onto its Management Development Programme, bringing together 12 young horticulture professionals from businesses and organisations across the industry.

The 2026-27 programme began at Pershore College on Tuesday 29 September, with delegates completing the first of three residential training blocks led by Lindsay Muir of Cedar Associates.

YPHA commissioned Lindsay, a leadership and management trainer, to develop and deliver a bespoke nine-day programme for people who already have management responsibility within horticulture but may not previously have had access to formal management training. Boyd Douglas-Davies also provided input into the programme’s development.

The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation is the headline sponsor, with additional funding from The GCA Trust, the British Ornamentals Association and YPHA’s own Launch Success Challenge.

The 2026-27 cohort is:

• Alexandra Hornsby, Garden King
• Andy Pennock, Haws Watering Cans
• Ben Peilow, Altnagelvin Garden Centre
• David Cheer, Cheers Nurseries Ltd
• Isobel Mills, Immediate Media Co. (Gardeners’ World Live)
• Josh Blaber, Crocus
• Keye Frith, WD Smith & Son
• Lucy Harris, Blenheim Garden Centre
• Mitch Wall, M&S Wilkinson Ltd (Port Sunlight Garden Centre)
• Olivia Blackburn, British Garden Centres
• Sam Fry, Ramsbury Manor Foundation
• Will Burks, The Gardens Group

The cohort will return to Pershore College for Block Two from 3 to 5 November 2026, before completing the programme with Block Three from 19 to 21 January 2027.

Jeremy Costello of YPHA says:

“It was fantastic to join the cohort for dinner and see the strong bonds they had already formed after just two days together. Bringing a group of complete strangers from different parts of horticulture together and seeing them connect so quickly is a brilliant example of the power of togetherness within our industry.”