Glee Buyers Power List

BGC and Ayletts top the

Glee Buyers Power List

Ahe buying teams at British Garden Centres and Aylett Nurseries were voted the overall best buying teams of the past 18 months in the Glee Buyers Power List, announced at Glee 2021.

There were also category wins for Marcus Cousins at Aylett Nurseries, Duncan Wills at Stewarts Garden Centre, Darran Oakley at Squires, Dan Kirby and Emma Davies at British Garden Centres, Paul Smith at Chessington Garden Centre, Claire Bryce at Barton Grange, Longacres and Chris Slack at Frosts.

Almost 1,000 votes were cast by readers of Glee Daily News and GTN Xtra to a 59 strong list of nominations from suppliers across the industry.

Speaking at the Glee Buyers Power List awards ceremony, attended by retailers and suppliers alike, Glee’s Event Director Matthew Mein said: “I would like to thank all those who took time to vote for their retail superstar, every one of whom deserved to be recognised. Hardworking retail staff are the lifeblood of our industry and I’m delighted so many people also felt they deserved to be recognised at the Glee Buyers Power List Awards. The biggest possible congratulations are due to all the very worthy winners and the many excellent shortlisted nominees.”

Adam Wigglesworth of Aylett Nurseries told GTN: “As a team we were delighted and flattered to receive the award again this year. Thank you to all our suppliers, who have been fantastic! It has been a period where we have all been reminded how the old phrase ‘working together’ is one that has really meant something.”

Glee Buyers Power List – Nominations and Winners

Plants Buyer/Buying Team of the Year • Andy Bunker – Alton Garden Centre • Marcus Cousins – Aylett Nurseries • Will Clark – Barton Grange • Tom Cook, Rod Austin & Julian

Palphramand - British Garden Centres • Mel Livingstone - Fron Goch • Jessica Logan – RBG Kew • Winner: Marcus Cousins – Aylett Nurseries

Garden Care Buyer/Buying Team of the Year • Derek Bunker – Alton Garden Centre • Andy Matthews & Paul Williams –

British Garden Centres • Ian Underwood – B&Q • Keith Wilbin – Downtown Garden Centre • Matt Shorter - Longacres • Ross Allen – Milestone Garden Centre • Duncan Wills – Stewarts Garden Centre • Winner: Duncan Wills – Stewarts

Garden Centre

Outdoor Leisure Buyer/Buying Team of the Year • Ian Richardson - Garsons • Keith Laird – Hayes Garden World • Matt Shorter – Longacres • Darran Oakley – Squires • Peter Self – Whitehall Garden Centres • Winner: Darran Oakley – Squires

Landscape Buyer/Buying Team of the Year • John Birch – Baytree Garden Centre • David Danning - Blue Diamond • Dan Kirby – British Garden Centres • Paul Smith - Chessington Garden Centre • Scott Provan – Klondyke • Mick Bruniges – Oaktree Garden Centre • Jack Slater – Summerseat Garden Centre • Michelle Thompson – Thompsons

Garden Centres • Winner: Dan Kirby – British Garden Centres

Home & Gifts Buyer/Buying Team of the Year • Emma Davis – British Garden Centres • Sarah Cooksley – Dobbies • Claire Jenner - Frosts • Geoff Stapleton – Gates Garden Centre • Winner: Emma Davis – British Garden

Centres Pet Buyer/Buying Team of the Year Sue Shaw - B&M • Zack Sargent – Bents Garden & Home • Paul Smith - Chessington Garden Centre • Dan Reep – Squires Garden Centres • Winner: Chessington Garden Centre

Retail Food & Drinks Buyer/Buying Team of the Year • Claire Bryce - Barton Grange • Melanie Sykes - Bents • Phil Hales – Gates Garden Centre • Longacres • Joint Winners: Claire Bryce - Barton

Grange and Longacres • Christmas Buyer/Buying Team of the Year • David Danning - Blue Diamond • Chris Slack - Frosts • Michelle Martin – Haskins • Stuart Whalley – Rosebourne • Winner: Chris Slack – Frosts

Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more • Blue Diamond • British Garden Centres • Caulders • Dobbies • Hillier Garden Centres • Klondyke • Notcutts • Squires Garden Centres • Winner: British Garden Centres

Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores • Alton Garden Centre • Aylett Nurseries • Gates Garden Centre • Haskins • Longacres • Rosebourne Garden Centres • Thompsons Garden Centres • Webbs • Winner: Aylett Nurseries