A few weeks ago, some of the team here at MorePeople headed over to the Celtic Manor Resort for one of the best nights in the garden retail calendar - the GIMA Awards 2025. If you work anywhere in garden products, horticulture, outdoor living, or garden retail, you’ll know this is the night everyone comes together to celebrate the brands, suppliers and innovations that keep the industry moving forward.

And as always… it didn’t disappoint!

With over 400 people in the room, dozens of familiar faces, and a buzzing atmosphere, it was a brilliant reminder of what makes this sector special: creativity, passion, and a genuine sense of community.

A few standout wins had everyone talking on the night:

GARDENA UK took home the Sword of Excellence for their AquaBloom L system - a smart, water-saving solution that clearly impressed the judges.

Woodlodge Products picked up Supplier of the Year (Large Business) - recognition for years of consistent reliability and top-class service.

Meadow View Stone snagged Supplier of the Year (SME) - a great win for a business that’s built a strong reputation on partnership and quality.

Elho won the Sustainability Award with their 100% recycled plastic composter - another reminder that eco-friendly innovation isn’t slowing down.

Smart Garden Products were celebrated for their export success, showing the strength of UK suppliers overseas.

It was great to see such a mix of established players and up-and-comers being recognised.

As recruiters who spend all day talking to the businesses and people behind this industry, a few themes stood out loud and clear:

1. Sustainability isn’t a trend anymore - it’s the baseline.

From composters to recycled materials, “green” products are now genuinely mainstream. Expect more roles and more investment pointed firmly in this direction.

2. Innovation is alive and kicking.

Smart irrigation, clever POS, better materials and more thoughtful design… suppliers are really upping their game.

3. Partnerships matter.

The Supplier of the Year categories make it obvious: garden retailers reward businesses who are reliable, collaborative and consistent. That applies to talent too!

4. The sector still has a brilliant buzz about it.

Despite economic ups and downs, the energy in the room showed how resilient and creative this industry is - and how much appetite there is to keep growing.

My favourite part?

It was my first time at the GIMA Awards. I’ve been to many of our other sector events over the years but what really stood out to me about this one was how connected the sector really is. Whether you're a buyer, a supplier, a manufacturer, or a specialist team like ours, you’re part of a network that actually enjoys spending time together.

It’s one of the reasons we love working in this space - the conversations, the passion, the ideas (and, of course, the late-night drinks at the bar!)

Events like this give us a front-row view of where the industry is heading:

• Sustainability & ESG specialists

• Product development and innovation roles

• Brand, marketing & e-commerce talent

• Operations, logistics & supplier excellence roles

• Commercial leaders who can build strong retailer relationships

If 2025’s winners are anything to go by, the bar for quality and innovation is only getting higher, which makes finding the right people more important than ever.

Huge congratulations to all the finalists and winners - you set the tone for the sector, and it’s exciting to see where the industry is heading.

Same time next year? We’ll see you there!​