After over 40 years in the gardening and leisure industry (over 33 years of which have been as director general of Gardenex and PetQuip), Amanda Sizer Barrett will be retiring from the Federation on Monday (31 March). The new director general will be Joe Denham, managing director of DogDoov, who will take over on Tuesday (1 April).

Amanda, pictured above, handing over a Lifetime Achievement Award to John Burns at the PetQuip Awards in 2023.

Amanda’s career in the industry started as a business journalist at Link House Publications Ltd, covering the garden and DIY sectors. Following her promotion to editor, she was responsible for reporting on the industry and retail news within the gardening, DIY and housewares sectors and got to know the majority of businesses, trade exhibitions and retailers within this rapidly changing business environment.

She was then headhunted to head up Gardenex and to expand its services and was also heavily involved in the launch of the Garden Products Association which subsequently merged with GIMA. Over the years she has been working in the industry, she introduced the very popular ‘meet the buyer’ events, now adopted by many other associations; established an export technical helpline to support exporters during and following the navigation of BREXIT; created unique promotional and exhibition opportunities at venues in countries from Austria to Japan; organised international trade conferences and introduced a raft of specialised support services, with the help of her expert team. 

She was also instrumental in launching PetQuip, the trade association for the pet care product sector, which provides similar services to those of Gardenex to firms in this expanding industry.

During Amanda’s tenure, the Federation has also taken on the running of the secretariats for the Commercial Horticultural Association, and then GIMA. 

For her work in promoting and developing exports, Amanda was awarded an MBE. 

“I have loved working in the gardening and pet product sectors, which are full of innovation and feature some inspiring entrepreneurs and wonderful personalities. I would like to thank everyone I’ve worked with and alongside over the many years I have been privileged to be part of these exciting and dynamic industries.” 

Amanda has been working with the board of the Federation to ensure a smooth handover to Joe Denham.

Joe said: “Amanda has built an extensive knowledge of the UK’s gardening and pet product sectors and international retailing. On behalf of myself, the board of directors and everyone within the Federation, its member companies, the Gardenex and PetQuip team and all the valuable connections she has made over the years she has worked in this industry, we would like to thank Amanda for everything she has done to help and support UK suppliers, exhibition organisers and international retailers to expand their businesses in the UK and internationally during her many years of  service to the federation.”