Mary Portas OBE will be speaking about retail at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) 2026 annual conference, which will take place at Carden Park Hotel near Chester in Cheshire, between January 25 and January 28
GCA chairman elect and operations director of Haskins Garden Centres Ben Harrison, who is organising the conference with GCA CEO Peter Burks, said: “Aged 30, Mary became a board member at Harvey Nichols, before founding her own retail consultancy. She has since worked with some of the biggest names in global retail, and we’re very excited she has agreed to be one of our keynote speakers for our 2026 conference.
“Her BBC series Mary Queen of Shops premiered in 2007 and she has presented on television and radio for the BBC and Channel 4 ever since. In 2009, she partnered with Save The Children to reinvent charity shops. To date, the 26 Mary’s Living & Giving shops nationwide have raised more than £30 million for charity. She also conducted a review of the future for high streets for the British government in 2011.”
Peter commented: “Our 2026 conference explores the theme of ‘Growing a Better Future’ with a focus on profitability, sustainability and innovation in the industry, so Mary will fit in brilliantly.”
Writer, broadcaster, former MP and Government Whip Gyles Brandreth has also been revealed as a keynote speaker at the event.
Gyles, who is now a Chancellor of the University of Chester, is well-known for sporting jolly jumpers, being an expert on royalty and a regular on television and radio shows.
Ben Harrison, GCA chairman elect and operations director of Haskins Garden Centres, said: “Gyles is known for his witty quips and his entertaining repartee, so we’re very much looking forward to welcoming him to the podium on Tuesday, January 27. We’re sure Gyles will bring a real buzz to proceedings with his presentation, which will resonate with us all, as it’s all about happiness, which is central to everyone’s working and home lives.”
GCA CEO, Peter Burks, said: “We’re sure that Gyles will bring a lot of humour, as well as top tips in his presentation entitled ‘The Seven Secrets of Happiness’ and that he will send us away with smiles on our faces as we prepare for the busy spring season ahead.
“To find out more and book tickets, please go to the conference pages on our website members’ section or via https://gca.digitickets.co.uk. There is also a dedicated email conference@gca.org.uk for any queries anyone may have. If non-members would like to join us, so they can attend, please email info@gca.org.uk.”
The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide. For further information and to book tickets for the 2026 GCA Conference, visit www.gca.org.uk
 2026 annual conference, which will take place at Carden Park Hotel near Chester in Cheshire, between January 25 and January 28){kind=link}