Amanda Sizer Barrett will be retiring from the Federation of Garden & Leisure Manufacturers, including her role as director general of trade bodies Gardenex and PetQuip, at the end of March this year.
Sizer Barrett has worked in the gardening and leisure industry for more than 40 years. Having initially been headhunted to head up Gardenex and to expand its services she was also heavily involved in the launch of the Garden Products Association which subsequently merged with the Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association (GIMA). She was also instrumental in launching PetQuip, a trade association for the pet care product sector that provides similar services to those of Gardenex. During her tenure at the Federation, it 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, Sizer Barrett was awarded an MBE.
She said: “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.”
New director general Joe Denham will take over on April 1 following a managed handover.
He added: “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.”
