The winners of the Glee Buyers Power List were revealed today. 

The Glee Buyers Power List was set up to recognise the individual buyers and buying teams who have gone above and beyond to make a difference within the garden retail industry this year.

This year’s Buyers Power List was voted for by readers of Glee Daily News and GTN Xtra.  When voting closed at midnight last night (Tuesday) almost 1,000 votes had been made.

Speaking at the Glee Buyers Power List awards ceremony, which was well attended by retailers and suppliers alike, Glee’s Event Director Matthew Mein said: “The Glee Buyers Power List was set up to recognise some of the most essential of our industry employees - garden retail buyers. After the most challenging of times for retail in general we are particularly proud to announce this year’s winners, who’ve done so much to keep trade buoyant and in good shape as we carve out a new normal. The biggest possible congratulations are due to all the very worthy winners and the many excellent shortlisted nominees.”

The winners received their awards at a special presentation at lunchtime.

The Nominations and Winners 2021

Plants Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

• Andy Bunker – Alton Garden Centre
• Marcus Cousins – Aylett Nurseries
• Will Clark – Barton Grange
• Tom Cook, Rod Austin & Julian Palphramand - British Garden Centres
• Mel Livingstone - Fron Goch
• Jessica Logan – RBG Kew

Winner: Marcus Cousins – Aylett Nurseries

Garden Care Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

• Derek Bunker – Alton Garden Centre
• Andy Matthews & Paul Williams – British Garden Centres
• Ian Underwood – B&Q
• Keith Wilbin – Downtown Garden Centre
• Matt Shorter - Longacres
• Ross Allen – Milestone Garden Centre
• Duncan Wills – Stewarts Garden Centre

Winner: Duncan Wills – Stewarts Garden Centre

Outdoor Leisure Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

• Ian Richardson - Garsons
• Keith Laird – Hayes Garden World
• Matt Shorter – Longacres
• Darran Oakley – Squires
• Peter Self – Whitehall Garden Centres

Winner: Darran Oakley – Squires

Landscape Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

• John Birch – Baytree Garden Centre
• David Danning - Blue Diamond
• Dan Kirby – British Garden Centres
• Paul Smith - Chessington Garden Centre
• Scott Provan – Klondyke
• Mick Bruniges – Oaktree Garden Centre
• Jack Slater – Summerseat Garden Centre 
• Michelle Thompson – Thompsons Garden Centres

Winner: Dan Kirby – British Garden Centres

Home & Gifts Buyer/Buying Team of the Year 

• Emma Davis – British Garden Centres
• Sarah Cooksley – Dobbies
• Claire Jenner - Frosts
• Geoff Stapleton – Gates Garden Centre

Winner: Emma Davis – British Garden Centres

Pet Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

• Sue Shaw - B&M
• Zack Sargent – Bents Garden & Home
• Chessington Garden Centre
• Dan Reep – Squires Garden Centres

Winner: Chessington Garden Centre

Retail Food & Drinks Buyer/Buying Team of the Year 

• Claire Bryce - Barton Grange
• Melanie Sykes - Bents
• Phil Hales – Gates Garden Centre
• Longacres

Joint Winners: Claire Bryce - Barton Grange and Longacres

Christmas Buyer/Buying Team of the Year

• David Danning - Blue Diamond 
• Chris Slack - Frosts
• Michelle Martin – Haskins
• Stuart Whalley – Rosebourne

Winner: Chris Slack – Frosts

Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more

• Blue Diamond
• British Garden Centres
• Caulders
• Dobbies
• Hillier Garden Centres
• Klondyke
• Notcutts
• Squires Garden Centres

Winner: British Garden Centres

Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores 

• Alton Garden Centre
• Aylett Nurseries
• Gates Garden Centre
• Haskins
• Longacres
• Rosebourne Garden Centres
• Thompsons Garden Centres
• Webbs

Winner: Aylett Nurseries

Matthew Mein added: “I would also like to thank all those who took time to vote for their retail superstar, every one of whom deserved to be recognised. Hard-working retail staff are the lifeblood of our industry and I’m delighted so many people also felt they deserved to be recognised at the Glee Buyers Power List Awards.”