HortWeek examines the current state of peat-free growing with David Denny of the HTA, a Westland representative, Robin Squance of the BOA technical committee, Michael Smith of bedding grower WD Smith & Son and Steve Carter of Fleurie Nursery. We will discuss themes around legislation, growing media standards, costs, market demand and technical challenges.
This additional session will begin immediately after the main conference programme and will
be open to conference delegates.
Send questions for the panel to matthew.appleby@haymarket.com
The BOA has confirmed the full speaker programme at the NFU Conference Centre.
The conference will bring together growers, suppliers, advisers and industry leaders to explore the key
challenges and opportunities facing the sector. The 2026 programme has been shaped to deliver
practical, grower-focused insight with immediate relevance to commercial ornamental production.
Confirmed Programme Themes
The 2026 programme will cover a broad range of current and emerging issues, including:
• Biologicals in Ornamentals: Reducing Chemical Inputs Whilst Boosting Plant Health and Market Value
• Energy market insights and how GrowSave can help
• If AI is the answer, what is your question?
• Navigating EPR & Plastic Packaging Tax in Ornamental Horticulture
• Launch Success & beyond: inspiring young people in horticulture
• Plant Protection Solutions for the Ornamental Sector
• RCS 2.0 – Redefining Plant Propagation. Raising the Standard
• Sphagnum moss, the ideal peat-free alternative
• Lessons in Leadership: Vision, Value, and the Road Ahead
• Importance of Monitoring in crops growing in different types of Growing Media
Confirmed Speakers
The speaker line-up brings together expertise from across the ornamental supply chain and wider
industry, including:
• Derek Jarman, chair, British Ornamentals Association
• Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO & Founder, Bionema Group
• Richard Hopkins, chairman, West Sussex Growers’ Association
• Simon Conway, Horticultural Crop Protection (HCP)
• Eirinn Rusbridge, senior project engineer, NFU Energy
• Shaun Herdsman, Accelobrand & Accelopack
• Peter Marshall, co-founder (technical), Volta Exo Systems
• Stefan Reiner, Selecta Klemm GmbH & Co
• Tim Parfitt, general manager, Beadamoss
• Sean Whitworth, senior growing media and fertiliser specialist, Fargro
• Lex Dofferhoff, account manager, Lensli
• Beth Anderson, events & communications officer, YPHA
• Alan Roper, MD, Blue Diamond
Conference Sponsors
• Bulrush Horticulture Limited
• Sinclair / Westland
• H L Hutchinson
• Plant Healthy
• NFU Mutual
• Beekenkamp
• Compo Expert UK Ltd
• CMW Horticulture
• Ebtech Glasshouse Systems Ltd
Other Sponsors
• Proptek UK – Lunch Sponsor
• Selecta One UK Ltd – Conference Programme Sponsor
• MorePeople – Award Sponsor
• HortWeek – Award Sponsor
Pre-Conference Dinner and Awards
The BOA Pre-Conference Dinner will take place on Tuesday 3 February 2026 at Woodland Grange,
Leamington Spa, featuring the presentation of the BOA annual awards, including the MorePeople
Award and HortWeek-sponsored awards.
Tickets
Discounted tickets are available for BOA members and professionals aged 35 and under. Early
booking is strongly recommended.
