I have just returned from the first face-to-face meeting of the Management Board, Council of Trustees and Branch Chairs committee. The meeting took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Maidenhead. Members who could not attend in person were able to join us via Zoom, and this enabled us to have full and fruitful discussions. The main purpose of the meeting was to finalise the strategic plan for the next five years. The past six months has been spent formulating the plan. Input from council members and past presidents has been of immense value. I am pleased to say that by the end of the day we had achieved what we set out to do. We will shortly be publishing the completed plan. This will guide and direct what we do in the coming months and years. We live in turbulent times and nothing is set in stone. A regular review will take place enabling us to add or amend where necessary.
As we draw towards the end of the year, I can reflect on some positives for the Institute. Our membership figures are improving and we have a healthy balance sheet. This enables us to develop some new initiatives. The student working group have put together a number of proposals that will enable us to provide much needed support as they leave college or finish apprenticeships to venture into the industry. Following a successful Grow Careers event, organised by Scotland branch, we are planning to extend this to include the rest of the UK and Ireland. This will also include reviewing and updating the Grow Careers webpage.
We continue to work externally and have representation on The Ornamental Horticulture Round Table Group, The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture and Trailblazers who are establishing the apprenticeships for the future. We are also building up links with other connected organisations to work together for the benefit of the industry.
The commercial challenges are escalating, shortage of labour, the rising price of fuel, lack of transport and difficulty in sourcing basics such as wood, and cement are adding to the pressures. The cost of making business more sustainable has added to the uncertainty. Many businesses are voicing concerns about their future. On a positive note, the retail sector remains buoyant as we lead up to Christmas.
As the year comes to an end, I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Susan Nicholas FCIHort
PRESIDENT
president@horticulture.org.uk