The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced the appointment of Jane Lawler as its new President, following the Annual General Meeting held at Horticulture: The Conference on 24 September 2026.

Jane takes over from Will Armitage, who successfully completed his term and now serves as Immediate Past President. Neil Grant has been named Vice President of the HTA.

Jane Lawler, newly appointed HTA President, said: “I’m very much looking forward to the next two years, and I’m especially grateful to be stepping into the well-worn boots of our outgoing President, Will Armitage. 

"He has presided over an historic period of growth and development at the HTA and has been enormously generous with his time and experience, supporting not only me, but the whole Board and Senior Leadership Team.”

Jane has almost 40 years of marketing and business development experience, gained across large corporations, investor-funded enterprises and family-owned businesses. She provides strategic business advice and practical, down-to-earth solutions to business development and marketing challenges. She is also well connected across the garden products, DIY, and horticultural retail and supply chains.

Jane joined the HTA Board as a Non-Executive Director in 2020 and was appointed HTA Vice President in 2024. She continues to provide consultancy services to clients across a diverse range of product categories, including plant protection, garden furniture, landscaping products, sundries, pest control, growing media and hardy ornamentals with the shared aim of driving brand value, sales, and distribution through UK home garden channels.

Neil Grant, the HTA’s new Vice President, said: “I am honoured and excited to assume the role of Vice President at the Horticultural Trades Association, particularly at this pivotal moment of innovation and progress. I want to connect with more of our members and continue to build on the rich heritage of our green industry, environmental horticulture. 

"Together with our new President, Jane Lawler, and the rest of the HTA Board, I look forward to ensuring our association is well equipped to adapt to our evolving landscape, to advocate for our member businesses, and to support our policy and public affairs team as they highlight the need for more green spaces.”

Alongside Jane Lawler’s ratification as HTA President at the AGM, three new Non-Executive Directors were approved to join the HTA Board: Rebecca Grant of Joseph Rochford Gardens Ltd, Emma Birkbeck of Fargro Ltd and Nadine Charlton of Homespring Gardens.

All three bring extensive experience and expertise from across the industry and will make a significant contribution to the association’s continued success and innovation.