What was your journey into the horticulture industry?
A farmer's son from South Cambridgeshire lead to a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science from the University of Nottingham. ICI fertilizers employed him to encourage farmers to increase their use of Ammonium Nitrate (Nitram) on crops until they lost their cheap supply of North Sea gas. He joined two university friends who traded as Proculture Plants in Evesham for 20 years selling the young plant division to R Delamore Ltd (now Volmary Ltd) and the mail order brand Woolman's Plants to Peter McDermott. Two years consultancy selling glasshouse insurance and young plants was very profitable. In 2007 he joined his wife Yvonne who had established Hayloft Plants Ltd in 2002, a multichannel grower and retailer of garden plants. The companies turnover peaked at £12m in 2021 and was sold in July 2024. Derek is partly retired.
What have been some career highlights over those years?
Selling businesses is always satisfying especially when they continue and go from strength to strength.
What would you say are your areas of expertise?
Jack of all trades and master of none would be a good summary of Derek Jarman. Always surround yourself by people who are much more able than you are.
What is your fantasy future horticultural innovation?
The ability to accurately predict the weather.
What are you most looking forward to at Four Oaks as a visitor?
Four Oaks is great to catch up with industry colleagues and friends.
Derek Jarman is a judge at the Four Oaks Trade Show new plants awards 2 September 2025
