Horticulture

​This year, I attended IPM Essen in Germany for the first time. With over 2,000 exhibitors and 40,000 visitors across a four-day event, it was unlike anything I’d experienced before.The halls were filled with a vast array of industry experts from around the world—growers, breeders, machinery specialists, growing media suppliers, fertiliser companies, and more.Having never attended the event before, I didn’t go in with a long list of expectations. My goal was to gain a deeper understanding of the European market, explore collaborations with UK partners, and catch up with several of my contacts.One of my biggest takeaways was just how much I learned about the industry. Seeing the sheer scale of horticulture and its global impact was incredibly humbling. But beyond that, the level of innovation, passion, and forward-thinking among attendees and businesses left me feeling even more excited about the future of the industry.As with any trade show, the face-to-face interactions were invaluable. Ironically, I ended up spending more time with people based in the UK in Germany than I do with them back home! But that’s exactly what these events are for, right?I had the chance to reconnect with candidates and clients I’ve worked with previously, while also building new relationships both in the UK market and beyond.Essen was packed with industry advancements—where do I even begin?Air-Pot® launched a new generation of containers.Selecta showcased an innovative propagation system using cuttings rooted offshore in paper bags without substrate. The samples I saw produced healthy plants with strong root systems.Modiform introduced a new sustainable tray designed to accommodate multiple pot sizes, offering great benefits for growers with diverse crops.And of course, there were countless new plant varieties, machinery developments, and more.One key lesson for next time: plan meetings in advance and book them close together. I naively assumed I’d bump into people as I do at UK trade shows, but given the scale of IPM Essen, that wasn’t the case. In fact, I ran into more familiar faces at the airport than at the event itself!For any other first-time attendees, here are a couple of my top tips: wear comfy shoes, everyone is in trainers, and I did 22,000 steps a day so comfy shoes are a must. Plan your visit strategically. It’s about a 15-minute walk between Hall 1 and Hall 8 so where possible, get meetings booked methodically! The app is one of the best I’ve seen. It has everything you need to know on there.Attending IPM Essen reinforced the importance of staying immersed in the industry. Understanding new innovations and trends first-hand means that when we get back to the day job, we genuinely know what we’re talking about. Events like these help us continue to be true horticulture recruitment experts. So, on that note, drop me a message or let’s schedule a chat to talk through any of your horticulture recruitment needs! ​Sarah Want | Horticulture Team Managersarah@morepeople.co.uk | 01780 480 530​

​The Horticultural Trades Association has recently launched its Plant Retail Success Initiative, providing HTA members with resources & guidance to help increase horticulture commercial sales.Resources such as digital training, consumer insights and helpful guides have been collated together to push commercial results. The HTA provide detailed retail analysis to construct this Initiative, allowing its commercial members to adapt to an ever-changing climate with guidance and support. It also includes real-life case studies & ideas from fellow businesses; a great example of how the horticultural industry benefits from sharing ideas to help one another. We take pride in being recruitment experts in the commercial horticulture & garden centre industries. However, we wouldn’t be able to do our jobs well if we did not immerse ourselves in the industry. It's paramount that we take time to fully understand industry challenges, as well as innovations and projects, such as the Plant Retail Success Initiative. You can click here to see what other industry topics we have immersed ourselves in!This, in turn, helps us to provide better support for you, whether we are finding your newest team member, or we are finding you your next role that matches your career climbing criteria. The Plant Retail Success Initiative is a great example of why I love working in the horticulture industry. Over the past two and a half years, I’ve learned how horticulture businesses thrive when they come together to share ideas and support one another. The initiative gives the retailers the tools, training and insight they need to thrive in what has been a challenging market of late; it’s all about helping businesses to grow and adapt. As a recruiter, that’s exactly what I aim to do; help people and businesses find the right fit to succeed. It’s this collaborative spirit that makes the horticulture sector so special to be a part of. The willingness of individuals to share knowledge and best practices ensures that the industry continues to thrive. You can get in touch with me or Rae for all of your commercial recruitment needs within the horticulture, agriculture and garden retail industries!Read more about the HTA Plant Retail Success initiative here.Contact us!Brian McGeachy | Senior Recruitment Consultant | Brian@morepeople.co.ukRae Goss | Senior Recruitment Consultant | Rae@morepeople.co.uk01780 480 530

​This week, I had the pleasure of attending the British Ornamental Association Conference, and wow – what a day! MorePeople were sponsoring the event, so it was a great excuse to soak up some serious horticultural knowledge and, of course, support Sarah, who absolutely smashed it chairing the morning session and speaking on behalf of the YPHA later on in the day.The day kicked off with a welcome from Derek Jarman and then our first session was packed with technical deep dives, I won’t lie – it was overwhelming but in a good way! It was fascinating to hear from Martin Emmett about the challenges horticulture is facing, followed by Dr Sam Wilkinson getting into the science of jasmonates. Annelies Bayens stole the show for me with her talk on resilient growing which was super practical and forward-thinking.After a much-needed caffeine boost, the second session, chaired by Simon Crawford, shifted focus to growing media. Marco Zevenhoven shared insight into the RHP and how they ensure quality throughout the supply chain, and then Prof Alistair Griffiths from the RHS talked about the push towards peat-free growing – a massive topic in the industry right now. Neil Bragg wrapped things up with a super detailed look at nutritional considerations for peat-free substrates. It was all very technical, but you could tell how passionate everyone was about making real changes in the sector. As we know, the peat-free debate is definitely one of the biggest talking points in horticulture at the moment, with many growers still figuring out how to make the transition without compromising on quality and cost. There’s a real mix of excitement and concern, as businesses know they need to adapt, but finding the right solutions isn't always straightforward. Watching the conversations play out from some of the industry leaders at the conference was eye-opening. Lunch was a brilliant chance to finally put faces to names! It’s so easy to spend all your time in recruitment communicating with candidates and clients on the phone and through email, so actually meeting them in person was one of the highlights of the day for me. Plus, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good conference lunch?The afternoon kicked off with Chris Need who led a session covering everything from biological spray solutions to data management. Sean Loakes explained sprayable biologicals with some exceptional usage of a Mentimeter interactive quiz, and Malcolm Smith took us on a journey from spreadsheets to high-tech data solutions – which I think a lot of people in the room could relate to! Islam Abdel-Aziz then tackled carbon accounting in ornamental crop production, another hot topic as businesses focus more on sustainability.The final session, chaired by Robin Squance, had a different vibe – a bit more feel-good and big-picture. David Domoney gave an inspiring talk on the positive power of plants, which was a refreshing way to wrap up a very science-heavy day. Then, Sarah was back on stage with an update on the YPHA launch success challenge (spoiler: it’s been a huge success). Finally, Michael Smith gave us the latest on the Floral Fantasia project before Derek closed the day.Sarah said: “Being on the organising committee for this year’s BOA Conference was an absolute pleasure. We wanted to make it accessible, informative, and, most importantly, leave people feeling positive with some great takeaways. I think, and hope we achieved that!""A big highlight for me was introducing the £35 ticket for under-35s. It was the first time we’d done it, and seeing young professionals in the room, eager to get involved, was fantastic. Ensuring information reaches the next generation in the industry is so important, and this felt like a real step in the right direction.It goes without saying, that horticulture is facing some big challenges, but the conference proved it’s not all doom and gloom. Being surrounded by passionate, driven people reminded me why this industry is so special. One of the standout talks for me was from Marco Zevenhoven—his insights into peat-free operations were fascinating and could offer some real solutions moving forward.I left the conference feeling optimistic. There’s work to be done, but with collaboration, innovation, and the next generation coming through, the future of horticulture is looking bright.”Overall, the conference was a whirlwind of technical talks, new ideas, and great conversations. It was amazing to learn so much, even if some of it was a bit above my recruiter-level expertise! All of this incredible insight helps me to help my clients and candidates better! A huge shoutout to Sarah for doing an incredible job – she really made MorePeople proud. Looking forward to the next one already!As specialists in Horticulture recruitment, Sarah, Kieran and I are always around for a chat to discuss how we can help you. Whether you're considering a career move, looking to expand your business, or want a hand navigating the horticultural sector, reach out to us!You can read more horticulture blogs from us here!Emily | emily@morepeople.co.uk Sarah | sarah@morepeople.co.uk Kieran | kieran@morepeople.co.ukCall us | 01780 480 530

​As the UK rental market continues to expand, it presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for those in the commercial gardening and horticulture sectors. With an increasing number of individuals opting for renting over homeownership, the demand for garden-related products is shifting, impacting sales across the country. This provides us with a great opportunity to analyse how such businesses can still thrive amid the renting landscape, so let’s take a look!Shifts In Commercial Gardening Trends: Minimal Space Maximum Impact The rise in UK renting has sparked notable shifts in commercial gardening trends. With more and more people living in rental properties, there's a growing demand for low-maintenance, portable, and space-efficient gardening solutions. Vertical gardens and modular plant systems have gained popularity, catering to renters who want to cultivate green spaces without making permanent changes to their homes.Additionally, there's an increased interest in indoor plants and herbs, as they're easily transportable when tenants move. As a result, commercial garden businesses focus more on compact tools, decorative indoor plant pots and indoor hanging baskets like macrame. From a limited outdoor perspective, retailers are also focusing on multi-functional furniture and versatile planters that suit smaller outdoor areas or balconies. These trends reflect the adaptability of the commercial market to the changing needs of UK renters, presenting new opportunities for businesses to innovate and diversify their product offerings. Whilst the increase in UK renting may initially raise alarm bells for the commercial garden sector, sales are still rising, just with the spotlight on different products. What this shift has highlighted is that commercial garden centres can create dedicated sections for ‘renter-friendly’ products, showcasing easy-to-move outdoor furniture and low-maintenance plant varieties. Within this section, you could also find educational packs on caring for indoor plants, kits with appropriate tools, or even gifts like stationery targeted to this specific audience. Retailers can make this feature as big or small as they desire depending on their space & target audience within the area - garden retailers that are close to city centres may find more renters nearby.A service that is trending within the renting landscape is subscription-based services for indoor plants. Subscribers can pay a monthly fee to receive plants specifically tailored to their living conditions – considering factors like space, temperature and light. Businesses are using this to even promote health benefits like improved air quality and mental health, a great example of the commercial sector adapting to a changing climate.While more millennials and Gen Zs are looking after houseplants rather than spending time out in the garden, do we think the pendulum will swing back to us being in our gardens? From a recruitment standpoint, the houseplant obsession with these generations has boosted interest in the horticulture industry and we see more and more candidates in their twenties looking at more careers in horticulture. If you are interested in a career in horticulture don’t hesitate to reach out! Click here to get in touch!​

​Starting the New Year Right: Non-NegotiablesAs we are fully immersed in 2025, it's shaping up to be a year of planning ahead. Recruitment timelines can surprise many people. From hiring decisions to the new employee's first day, the process can take months. Notice periods seem longer than ever, which is why planning one step ahead is vital. I wanted to provide some tips and tricks that I have learnt from my experience in the industry over the years to hopefully give you a head start in planning your goals! As a side note, if you want to learn more about our recruitment timeline, you can do so here. Key Considerations for Businesses:Assess your team’s current size and skill set. Are there enough people to handle the workload, including coverage for sickness and holidays?Identify skills gaps. Can someone on your team be trained to fill these gaps?Determine when new hires need to start and plan accordingly. For senior or specialised roles, begin recruitment at least three months in advance.While plans don’t always go smoothly, having support on hand can make all the difference. Our team is here to assist whenever you need us.For me, planning is imperative. With the Horticulture team attending more events and client visits than ever in Q1, efficient time management is key.​Trends in recruitment for the first half of the yearFrom a horticulture perspective, the first quarter of the year seems to be the busiest time for me recruiting into nurseries. I get a mixture of people looking in advance and looking just before the spring starts. I tend to find we run a more successful recruitment process when we’re looking in advance, as it gives us time to properly analyse the market and run a strong, detailed process. Rushed timelines can result in errors.By Q2, candidate availability becomes a challenge, especially for growers. Many candidates will stay with their current employer until the end of the season, even if they’re dissatisfied, as they want to do the right thing.I always encourage businesses to plan around the spring and the start of the season. When the season starts, everyone is so busy trying to run a smooth operation and successful recruitment processes can be challenging. When the weather gets nicer (in theory!), everyone gets busier. Candidates are less flexible for meetings and businesses are full steam ahead, so prepare where possible and be as flexible as you can!​Book your events in!We have a packed first half of 2025! We’re excited to be heading to lots of events, conferences, and client visits. We have attended some already!·         I attended the HTA Member Event hosted by Taylors Bulbs in January.·         I ventured over to IPM Essen for the first time on the 22nd -23rd January!·         Ryan and Hannah attended the Brassica and Leafy Salad Conference on 30th January, delivering a talk on recruitment and succession planning.·         It was the BOA Conference in Stoneleigh on 5th February which Emily and I attended. I hosted a session and presented an LSC update on behalf of the YPHA.·         25th -26th February – Emily and I will be heading down to Chichester for a couple of days to visit clients.·         Thursday 13th March – Emily, Kieran and I are hosting our second Executive Dinner at the George in Stamford, solely for horticulture and fresh produce businesses.·         4th-5th March – Kieran and I are spending a couple of days in and around Kent visiting clients.​Looking forward to 2025The ever-changing horticulture landscape keeps this industry exciting. Watching candidates I placed years ago climb the career ladder or complete long-term projects is incredibly rewarding.I’m particularly excited to help graduates and entry-level candidates find their footing in the industry. Seeing the future of the industry grow into their roles is one of my favourite parts of my job. Finding Your Dream RoleThe best advice is simple: talk about your goals. Speak with a mentor or someone who can guide you on the skills and qualifications required for your dream job. Then, connect with a recruiter.Timing matters: The best time to job search is when you have the luxury to wait for the perfect opportunity.Stay visible. On the horticulture desk in 2024, we only advertised 60% of our vacancies, so you might not know your dream job is out there! Final ThoughtsPlanning ahead, staying adaptable, and fostering strong relationships are the keys to successful recruitment in 2025. Whether you’re an employer or a candidate, preparation and communication will set you up for success in the dynamic world of horticulture.Want to schedule a chat about how myself and my team can help? You can drop me an email at sarah@morepeople.co.uk or call me on 01780 480 530.Click here to get to know me better! 

​Just before Christmas, we shared our '2024 Horticulture Wrapped' on LinkedIn, which ignited a lot of discussions about processes, recruitment, and beyond. Consequently, it feels like the perfect opportunity to share my thoughts on the subject! Let’s break down our key indicators to gain a better understanding of our 2024 horticulture recruitment trends. ​Job TitlesOur top job titles were Grower, Grower Supervisor, Landscaper and Maintenance Supervisor. Personally, I have a strong belief in simple job titles and 2024’s results have absolutely reinforced this for me. It’s great for a candidate or a client to have a particularly niche or descriptive job title, however, when people are looking on job boards for their next challenge, unique job titles won’t always pull into job or CV searches online. Keep it simple when advertising, they still work, and people are more likely to come across them. Internally, you can use whichever job titles you’d like! ​Top LocationsLincolnshire, Sussex, and Cambridgeshire are a hub for business in the horticulture and fresh produce industry, so I’m not surprised these were our top locations. Honourable mentions to West Sussex and Kent who weren’t far behind! We placed from Devon to Dundee last year with a sprinkling of placements in Ireland too, so whilst we do have areas that are busier, our candidate reach is far and wide. We work to find the right fit for candidates and clients regardless of location. ​Number of Jobs we advertised externallyWe advertised 60.9% of roles on job boards last year, which people might be surprised by, but the result is as I would have expected. We work on so many roles that are new, confidential, or can’t be advertised for other reasons, which is why we work so hard to keep in touch with our candidates and the more ‘passive’ market. When we get jobs called in, we often already know which candidates would be great for these, so they don’t end up getting advertised. There are so many opportunities people might miss if they’re just looking on job boards, always ring us for a chat! ​Salaries and Job Title RangeIn 2024, the salaries we placed in the Horticulture team ranged from £24,500 to £105,000, but this is in line with our job titles ranging from Trainee Grower to Director of Growing in Horticulture, and Trainee Agronomist to Director of Farming in Fresh Produce. Having the breadth of working from graduate level to director level means that our reach is even bigger, and it keeps it interesting for us, as no two days are the same! Sarah said: “I have particularly enjoyed seeing how candidates I’ve worked with have developed their own careers in the (nearly) 6 years I’ve been here. Some of the first placements I made in 2019 are now on their 3rd or 4th promotion!” ​Retention97% of people who our team placed in 2024 are still thriving in their new roles. Some have even got promotions! There’s always a risk when employing someone new/ going to work for a new business. There are so many factors to consider, the role not being quite what was described, culture, personal circumstances and more. I’m proud of the team to say we’re managing the process for everyone involved with all the information and knowledge we have, to keep that percentage exceptionally high. We spend a lot of time day-to-day educating, and working with both candidates and clients to ensure the right questions are being asked, and risk is minimised as much as possible. ​Overall2024 was an incredible year for us, packed with events, podcasts, meetings, video calls, and successful placements that made a real difference for so many people. We also ventured into fresh territory by attending the British Poinsettia Conference, HTA Member Events, and Floral Fantasia for the first time. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to explore a fresh lineup of trade shows and opportunities! ​2025 has kicked off stronger than ever, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve this year!​Are you thinking about moving positions or expanding your team in 2025?Get in touch with our Horticulture recruitment specialists, Sarah, Emily and Kieran. 01780 480 530 | emily@morepeople.co.uk | sarah@morepeople.co.uk | kieran@morepeople.co.uk​