The chairman of one of Britain’s leading horticultural suppliers is set to bring new growth to an independent business support alliance working across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Robert Hillier OBE is synonymous with the internationally renowned, 151-year-old Hillier Nurseries based at Ampfield near Romsey.
He has accepted an invitation to chair a private sector group tasked with helping companies of all sizes and sectors to access local and national support services.
Mr Hillier said he aimed to help and steer HIBA, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Business Alliance, in its role “as a conduit between individual businesses and the region’s local enterprise partnerships”.
He added: “It is essential for the regional economy that businesses have ready access to support and can influence policy. HIBA is playing a key role in shaping a powerful, integrated private sector voice. I am delighted to be joining at this vital time to champion HIBA’s continuing development.”
HIBA is a partnership between Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight offices of the British Marine Federation, the manufacturers’ organisation EEF, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Directors, the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Enterprise Alliance.
The partnership was formed following Lord Heseltine’s ‘No Stone Unturned’ report which emphasised the private sector’s role in co-ordinating support for businesses to help them grow.
In a five-year business manifesto, HIBA has called on the government to ensure a strategic, long-term growth plan for the whole economy.
The partnership has identified a series of key priorities to help Hampshire companies including a reform of business rates, a simpler planning system and dedicated support for sectors such as marine, aerospace, technology and the creative industries.
Stewart Dunn, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive and acting HIBA chairman until now, said: “Robert is a well known, well respected and well connected figure on the business scene. He brings extensive strategic and independent experience which will help drive HIBA forward and help us achieve the manifesto aims.”
Mr Hillier is the fourth generation son of Edwin Hillier who started the family business with a small nursery in Winchester in 1864.
Today, Hillier Nurseries employs 450 people and has a turnover of around £27 million. It comprises 14 garden centres, two trade cash and carry centres, the biggest field production tree nursery in the UK, an extensive shrub nursery and one of Europe’s largest container tree nurseries.
Mr Hillier has been honoured with multiple awards for his contribution to the £56 billion gardening and horticultural industry. He was appointed OBE in 2000.
Among the company’s recent successes was the coveted title of International Grower of the Year and a contract to supply trees to the Olympic parks for the London 2012 games. Hillier Nurseries has also achieved the unique distinction of winning 70 consecutive gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
