On the evening of 22 May, His Excellency Martin Fraser, the Irish Ambassador to Great Britain and his wife, Deirdre, hosted a special event to celebrate the best of Irish and British horticulture at the Irish Embassy in London. The event, held in the week of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, took place a few days after EU and UK leaders met in London to officially launch a new phase of closer collaboration, including addressing the challenges of cross-border trade, which have hit horticulture hard in recent years.
Guests were wowed by Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) members Provender Nurseries and HSK Exotic Plants, who presented a Chelsea-worthy spectacular array and display of plants in the Embassy.
The evening kicked off with a panel event moderated by Liz Shanahan, a life sciences entrepreneur and passionate gardener, who chaired a panel with Billy Alexander of Kells Bay House & Gardens, Richard McKenna, Managing Director of Provender Nurseries and Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at the HTA. The speakers brought a wealth of expertise, with Billy being a gold medal winner at Chelsea, Richard an Irish national with a UK-based business supplying into Chelsea gardens and stands, and Jennifer an advocate for stronger international horticulture supply chains.
Ambassador Martin Fraser commented: “We are delighted to be celebrating and championing the very best of Irish and British horticulture here at the Embassy, and the passionate gardeners, experts and businesses that are showcasing their work this week in London. Our thanks to all who have joined us for the discussion and wonderful display, and I hope that this event helps to foster new connections and friendships across these islands and this important industry.”
Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at the HTA, commented: “The HTA, with members across the UK and in Ireland, values hugely these close business relationships and friendships in horticulture. These productive and valued relationships extend to its close work with the Irish Embassy in London, and we thank the Ambassador, Martin Fraser, who has shown tremendous commitment, generosity and interest in horticulture with this event.”
