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GIMA Team

Dedicated Professionals and Council Members

Run by a small team of dedicated professionals, and governed by a council of members, GIMA is funded by membership subscriptions and services.

The GIMA council is made up of volunteer representatives from member companies, who meet several times a year to ensure the association continues to deliver value for money for its members and focuses on industry relevant initiatives.

New council members are voted in by the membership, together with a number of key honorary roles during the AGM held in the Spring each year. If you are interested in becoming a GIMA council member or would like to receive a copy of our Articles of Association, please contact the GIMA office.

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GIMA Team

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GIMA Council Members 2025 – 2026

Craig Hall
Deco Pak

President

 

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Nigel Thompson
Sipcam 

Vice President

 

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Mark Butler

Mark Butler
Vitax Ltd

Honorary Secretary

 

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Guy Jenkins

Guy Jenkins
DLF

Honorary Treasurer

 

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Kate Ebbens
Woodlodge Products

Council Member

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Edward Cantel

Edward Cantle
GARDENA

 

Council Member

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Dan Durston
Durston Garden Products Ltd

Council Member

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David Nicholson

David Nicholson
Elho

 

Council Member

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Chris Ramsden
Hozelock

 

Council Member

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Sarah Hill
Meadow View
Stone

Council Member

 

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Victoria Osbourne
L V Bespoke

 

Council Member

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Hannah Shoesmith
APAC

 

Council Member

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Martin Ward 
GIMA Director
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Craig Hall

Vice President
Council Buddy – Deco-Pak

“I became a GIMA council member to be able to offer knowledge, support and connect with other members, on the same way that GIMA has supported our business for many years”. “The five core values of GIMA as an association are to support, connect, promote, save, and represent its members, therefore as a council member I am happy to be contacted to assist members in any way possible where I can”.

Deco-Pak, is the leading supplier of decorative landscaping products to garden retailers nationwide, supported by creative packaging, POS and merchandising ideas. As a director of a family-run SME business, and with a degree in Business Studies with a specialism in Marketing, I can offer a diverse insight of the garden industry from a family business perspective and also provide insight into how marketing strategy can be adapted within an evolving industry.

I have over 15 years of experience within the garden industry, and spent 14 months in America working as a staffing manager to widen his general business knowledge from an international perspective.

Nigel Thompson

Co-opted Council Member – Sipcam

I love this industry, our industry!

Having been in and around it for over 30 years now (gulp) there is no other sector I would want to be in.

GIMA occupies a unique position in our industry in its support of both the members and the wider industry.

People really matter to me and being on the Council gives me a great opportunity to give something back and serve a wider cause here.

My day-to-day role is Head Of Sales & Marketing for Sipcam Home & Garden.

 
Mark Butler

Mark Butler

Council Buddy – Vitax Ltd

I have been on the council for 8 years and currently hold the role of secretary. I have worked in the garden industry for 35 years holding various roles in sales and marketing and am currently UK sales and marketing manager at Vitax. I have worked for wholesalers, manufacturers and importers all in the garden industry so have a wide knowledge of different challenges that affect suppliers in our industry . I joined the council as I wanted to get involved in the issues that challenge our market place and am happy to help any new members in any way I can.

Guy Jenkins

Guy Jenkins

Council Buddy – DLF Seeds Ltd

I joined the GIMA council four years ago as Treasurer and over this period have gained an understanding and insight into how GIMA assists its members and promotes the industry.
 
DLF Seeds is a Danish cooperative and the world’s largest grass seed breeder and producer supplying Consumer, Professional Amenity and Agricultural markets throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
 
I have worked in the gardening supply market for over 20 years and deal with wholesalers, DIY sheds, garden centres and other retailers. My role embraces most commercial aspects of supply plus product development, sales and marketing.

Kate Ebbens

 President – Capi Europe

The garden industry sector has been a huge part of my adult life and the last 24 years I have been a Company Director for CADIX UK, and also a distributor for Capi-Europe.  It was important for me to support the industry as it supported our business in the early years.

When we became a member of GIMA, I enjoyed the events and networking the association gave and having an opportunity to become council member and as the President, I feel very privileged. It is very important that  I support the other council members, ensuring we bring crucial information and relevant advice to the meetings and events so our members feel supported and can engage with other suppliers and customers.

I am also an ambassador for the Greenfingers charity which is the my nominated charity during my term, and I very much enjoy raising money for the charity and to date I have walked/run many miles, thrown myself out a plane and ran a half marathon this year, and next year hope to Wing Walk!

If you are looking for support, networking or just a chat please do not hesitate to contact me.

Edward Cantel

Edward Cantle

Council Buddy – GARDENA

“Having gained my degree in Horticulture from Pershore College, I have worked through a number of roles on the growing and retail side of Garden Centres and then in 2009 moved over to the supplier side, giving me to date 24 years’ experience with an industry that I am very passionate about.  

I have known GIMA for many years and looked to join the council as I would like to help the next generation of horticulturists develop a career in this great industry.

I like to think I bring a little light humour to Council meetings and a reasoned argument, as I have worked on both sides of the desk. I am more than happy to help support suppliers and retailers, through experience and through my established industry network.”

Dan Durston

Dan Durston

Council Buddy – Durston Garden Products 

With over 25 years of personal experience and a family legacy that dates back over 150 years, Dan Durston – Sales Director at Durston Garden Products – knows a thing or two about the garden retail market!

A specialist in growing media, Dan and his family-run business – which now includes three generations of the family at its base in Glastonbury – are passionate about bringing to market innovation that makes gardening easier and more enjoyable for all. Recent introductions include a new peat-offering, reflective of Dan’s desire to place more sustainable practices at the heart of the Durstons offering.

Dan has been part of the GIMA Council since 2018, a role he enjoys immensely as it provides him with continued touchpoints with the wider industry, whilst enabling him to join in the conversation regarding the growth and development of the garden retail sector. A firm advocate of open dialogue, Dan remains open to GIMA members should they want to discuss the future of growing media. He is also available as a GIMA ‘member buddy’ to any new or emerging brands that would like to take advantage of Dan’s quarter-of-a-century long experience within this thriving and varied sector.

David Nicholson

David Nicholson

Council Buddy – Elho

In becoming a member of the GIMA council, I hope to promote the existing members, assist in bringing in new members, and contribute to the existing and new ways of working within the organization.

Since I currently work for an international manufacturer, I will be able to bring a unique perspective to the council. In addition, I will bring my pragmatic, adaptable approach as a team player

From my initial field sales position to my current senior management role, I have thirty years’ experience in the DIY/Gardening market.

Chris Ramsden

Council Buddy – Hozelock

I have been a Council Member of GIMA for a number of years now and I am very pleased to be able to ‘do my bit’ and to offer something back to the Gardening Industry, which is the reason I joined the Council at the outset. I have worked in this Industry for over 30 years and as such have significant experience of all sectors and many of the major Garden Retailers.

Sarah Hill

Managing Director – Meadow View Stone

With over 26 years of experience in growing and developing businesses within the Hard Landscaping sector, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Group Marketing Director and, more recently, Managing Director at Meadow View Stone, one of the sector’s leading suppliers and innovators in hard landscaping.
 
Throughout my career, I have focused on significantly expanding our customer base, which has provided me with a deep understanding of the challenges suppliers face in growing their market share, with the support of GIMA and its members playing a crucial role in our success and continued growth.

I have witnessed firsthand the invaluable networking events and opportunities that GIMA provides. These events have allowed me to connect with industry professionals, future customers, and fellow suppliers, exchanging ideas and building meaningful relationships.
 
Honesty, openness, and approachability have always been at the heart of the relationships I’ve built over the years. I am, and always have been, more than happy to share my thoughts and experiences with the aim of helping both suppliers and customers thrive in our great industry.
 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can assist in any way—I’ll always do my utmost to help.

Martin Ward

Director, GIMA

Martin brings over 20 years of experience in the garden industry, spanning product development and marketing communications. With a strong background working alongside suppliers and retailers, Martin now leads the association in supporting and representing UK suppliers across the sector. He is focused on strengthening industry connections, championing innovation, and ensuring GIMA continues to provide a valuable platform for collaboration, growth, and insight within the garden market.