At MorePeople, we’ve always believed that the best conversations happen when people come together in the right environment — and our recent Garden Retail Dinner, part of the MorePeople Executive Networking Club, was a great example of that.
Held in a relaxed and informal setting, the dinner brought together senior leaders, directors, and decision-makers from across the garden retail sector. From large national retailers to independent centres, it was a really good mix of people who all share a genuine passion for the industry and a desire to see it thrive.
It wasn’t about speeches or presentations — just good food, a great atmosphere, and space for real conversations.
Real Conversations, Real Value
The value of the evening really came through in the conversations that took place.
People were open, honest, and willing to share — not just about what’s going well, but about the challenges too. Topics ranged from trading performance and shifting customer expectations to bigger-picture themes like recruitment, sustainability, and succession planning.
One part of the discussion that stood out focused on how senior teams manage internal disagreements and stay aligned during periods of change — something a lot of attendees recognised in their own businesses. It sparked some really thoughtful discussion around communication, leadership styles, and how to build trust within a team.
There was also a strong theme around leadership development and planning for the future. Many businesses are going through transition or thinking ahead to the next generation, and there was clear agreement that investing in people — at all levels — is essential.
Why We Host These Dinners
What really made the evening special was the openness in the room. There’s huge value in being able to talk with peers in a non-competitive, supportive setting — especially when the challenges are shared across the sector.
As one guest put it:
“It’s rare to have the chance to talk so freely with peers in a non-competitive, supportive environment — it makes a real difference.”
That sense of openness, honesty and mutual respect is what the Executive Networking Club is all about.
Looking Ahead
We’re already planning the next dinner, and we’re keen to keep these conversations going. If you’re in a senior role in garden retail (or in the wider horticulture or retail space) and would like to come along to a future event, we’d love to hear from you.
Thanks again to everyone who joined us — we’re proud to be helping grow not just careers, but real connections across the industry.
