I have spent most of my working life within the horticultural sector either as a Business Owner, Director or Senior Manager. I began my career working in family owned Nurseries and Garden Centres, which gave me a brilliant foundation about all the issues that come with running horticultural businesses. During my time at Wyevale, I developed a concession strategy which took the group from an annual concession rent in 1998 of around £800k to in excess of £13m in 2013. I have since lead the team that has revolutionised the Garden Centre Industry within the UK, transforming centres to retail destinations by implementing bespoke concession strategies. I have always believed that businesses are more successful when they partner up and work together. First Franchise was formed in 2004 to promote concession partners to the wider Garden Centre Market. First Franchise has been responsible for bringing many leading retail brands to the garden centre market and we have initiated these introductions, by identifying a need to develop a specific product area and then targeting the market leaders. First Franchise has since expanded into a full Management Consultancy business, with a team that not only specialises in Concession Strategy, but also Garden Centre development which includes, but is not limited to; Product Sourcing, Design, Project Management, Marketing, Merchandising, EPOS implementation and much more.