A new professional battery-powered blower has hit the market from German kit manufacturer Stihl. The BGA 250 is “the world’s most powerful handheld battery-powered blower throughout the full battery charger” thanks to its ability to maintain full power whilst the...
Matthew Pottage has been a well-known name within the industry for the last two decades working with the RHS, now taking on his latest venture as Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy at The Royal Parks charity. Pottage fell in love with gardening from an early...
Husqvarna has released a new wire-free professional robotic mower for smaller commercial areas. The Automower® 520 EPOS uses Husqvarna’s virtual boundary technology to mow the lawn, covering 5,000sqm in 48 hours. It can also use systematic cutting to create patterns, something which Husqvarna says its customers have been requesting. Pre-set...
Facilities transformation company, Mitie has expanded its already 4,000 strong all-electric fleet with 650 all-electric ID. Buzz Cargo vans. As part of its Plan Zero pledge to reach net zero emissions for its own operations by the end of 2025, Mitie opted for a new model of vans to add to its growing fleet. With a maximum loading width of 1.7m*,...
Nurture Group has acquired Scottish Royal Warrant holder Roy Cowie Ltd, in a move to strengthen its northern presence. The Aberdeen-based business operates across the northeast of Scotland, providing a range of services from commercial and domestic grounds maintenance, landscape construction and tree surgery. The company, founded in 1994 also...
A new equipment replacement fund will donate Stihl tools and PPE to those in need. The initiative is part of a new partnership between horticultural charity Perennial and kit brand Stihl GB. There’s been a 21% increase in individuals from the sector seeking Perennial’s support and a significant rise in those accessing its online tools, says...
Islington Council calls for residents to “get greening” with new nature based initiative. The scheme, Islington Greener Together, encourages locals to put forward ideas to improve biodiversity, build climate change resilience and create more attractive neighbourhoods. Residents, businesses and community groups are eligible to submit ideas,...
A world-famous illustrator best known for his work on a collection of Roald Dahl books has partnered with The Royal Parks to create illustrations for parks across London to encourage visitors to better appreciate green spaces. The charity has commissioned 27 designs from Sir Quentin Blake to be used as signage around well-known London green...
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has revealed the 52 finalists of Britain in Bloom 2024, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The finalists, selected from across the UK, will compete to be crowned winner in one of the 11 categories, and will secure an RHS gold, silver gilt, silver or bronze award. One of the category winners...
Viki Halkett has been appointed operations director of Fresh Horticultural Careers (FHC) after originally joining the company over 15 years ago as a receptionist. Halkett joined the company in 2007 in the roles of receptionist and administrator, managing the staffing solution’s temporary workers work force. She returned in 2014 in the role of...
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced that Matthew Pottage will be leaving the charity at the end of May to take up a new role at The Royal Parks. The horticulturist has been at the RHS for 20 years, the last nine years of which have been spent as curator of RHS Garden Wisley. During that time, he has overseen a series of projects,...
Nurture Group has acquired Birmingham-based Midland Pest Control Ltd, in what marks the company’s 45th acquisition and strengthens its presence across the Midlands region. The purchase will allow the Group to also consolidate its position in the UK pest control market. Founded in 2000, Midland Pest Control says it is committed to protecting the...
A new digital resource to support those caring for someone within the horticultural community is now accessible through Perennial. The free tool in collaboration with Carers UK is available online, offering personalised support and information, with hands-on guides and useful tools for everyone. In an effort to help carers “build networks of...
Apprenticeships can be life-changing experiences for people, says Matt O’Conner. It’s one of the reasons the managing director of John O’Conner says it was eager to start its own apprenticeship programme back in 2011. That, and recruitment challenges on top of an ageing workforce. It was difficult to fill supervisory roles and find new talent....
The deadline for submitting entries to the Pro Landscaper Business Awards in association with Caribbean Blinds has been extended to 16 February. There has been a phenomenal response from the industry to get involved with this year's awards. The deadline has been extended to ensure companies have enough time to share their successes and to submit...
With the demand for environmental jobs likely to rise inline with the uptake in green policies being rolled out, the sector is now more so than ever trying to get more people through the metaphorical door to tackle the ever looming labour shortage. Lantra is one such company, which last year undertook research with over 550 employers to gather...
Stihl has introduced the KMA 120 R battery KombiEngine to its AP System, offering compatibility with all the main attachments, from blowers and hedge trimmers to pole pruners and sweepers. The KMA 120 R can be used with up to 12 different attachments and comes with a tool-free adjustable loop handle for simplistic adjustment. Offering two speed...
Blenheim Palace is a site where heritage, innovation, and sustainability unite to create a workplace like no other. Originally gifted from Queen Anne to the Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill, following his victory at the Battle of Blenheim on 13 August 1704, Blenheim Palace remains the home of prominent British history. Now, over 320 years...
There are just two weeks left to enter the Pro Landscaper Business Awards in association with Caribbean Blinds. These are the only awards uniquely recognising and celebrating the business successes of organisations that are leading the UK’s landscaping industry, and there are plenty of reasons to put your company forward to win one of the 17...
The results of a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey show that just 12% of the industry is aged between 25-34, with 16-24-year-olds making up a staggeringly low 3%. Members of the group behind the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter for the horticulture, arboriculture, landscaping and garden media profession put together the...
The YPHA (Young People in Horticulture Association) has revealed the upcoming launch of its inaugural Accelerator Programme. Set to be unveiled at the Garden Press Event, the Launch Success programme is designed to empower and cultivate the next generation of horticulture leaders. With the aim of providing young professionals in horticulture with...
Mitie is being recognised as a UK Top Employer for the sixth runninning, a certification awarded by the Top Employers Institute. The facilities management company has earned this certification for its continued commitment to creating a better workplace environment for its colleagues through HR policies and people practices. Employers must...
A “flexible” and “joined-up” approach is necessary to resolve the workforce issues impacting the land-based sector, Lantra has told a committee of MPs. Speaking before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee, the land-based and environmental training body’s chair of trustees, Dr David Llewellyn CBE gave insight into which labour...
Speakers have been announced for SoilsCon 2024, marking the conference's return after a four year hiatus. The one-day conference will make its return this year on Wednesday 28 February, with a focus on practical approaches and solutions to the key soil issues and challenges facing industry today. The speakers are Tim O’Hare, principal of Tim...
The Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA) has announced an additional tier to its member wellbeing provisions, with the appointment of three new mental health first aiders. This initiative, supported by Charity partner, Perennial, reinforces the association’s ongoing commitment to member wellbeing, says the YPHA. The newly appointed...
A local UK Environment Agency has made the switch to battery-powered tools, opting for Husqvarna’s zero-emission hand-held range. Working year-round in the London boroughs of Dagenham and Barking, the Environmental Agency’s Operations Delivery team operates machinery daily to prevent flooding. Traditionally the team used fossil-fuelled equipment...
At this year's FutureScape Kress brought golf enthusiast attendees the opportunity to test their skills at the Kress Outdoor Power Equipment Open, which took place over both days. With high stakes, the nine-hole mini-golf course was taken on by a large variety of industry specialists who dared to prove their putting power, but it was Andrej...
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