The British Ornamentals Association (BOA) has confirmed the full speaker programme for its Technical Conference 2026, taking place on Wednesday 4 February 2026 at the NFU Conference Centre, Stoneleigh.
Widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading technical events for ornamental horticulture, 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 & Fertiliser Specialist, Fargro
• Lex Dofferhoff, Account Manager, Lensli
• Beth Anderson, Events & Communications Officer, YPHA
• Alan Roper, Managing Director, Blue Diamond
NEW: HortWeek Bonus Session
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 and Michael Smith of bedding grower WD Smith & Son. We will discuss themes around legislation, growing media standards, costs, market demand and technical challenges.
This additional session will commence immediately after the main conference programme and will be open to conference delegates.
Sponsorship Update
The BOA is pleased to confirm that conference sponsorship packages are now fully sold out, reflecting the continued strength and relevance of the event across the industry.
The BOA would like to thank the following organisations for their support:
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
Remaining sponsorship opportunities are:
• Dinner & Drinks Sponsorship Package (now discounted)
• Delegate Bag Sponsorship
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.
Book your tickets HERE.
For further information or assistance, please contact andy.smith@britishgrowers.org
