British Florist Association Mission Statement
The BFA is dedicated to support the floral industry from root to tip. We work on projects that benefit the whole industry and bring us closer together. Our aim is to build a stronger unity within the industry with a powerful voice. Our core values are to have Honesty, Trust, Integrity and Passion at the forefront of all our actions.
About us
The BFA have a board of directors and cover a wide range of industry. We are all voted in at GM meetings by the members. We are made up of retail shop owners, freelance, studio based florists, corporate/ international sectors and those with educational experience including tutors and UKFJG Judges.
Board Contacts:
- Chair: Nikki Meader Nikki@britishfloristassociation.org
- Vice Chair/ Communications Director: Kate Whelan Kate@britishfloristassociation.org
- Manager of the Association and Secretary of the BFA: Tracy Tomlinson Manager@britishfloristassociation.org
- Training and Education Director: Sandie Griffith sandie@britishfloristassociation.org
- Training and Education Director: Joanne Biddle Jo@britishfloristassociation.org
- Training and Education Director: Rebecca Hough Rebecca@britishfloristassociation.org
What is the BFA and a Trade association all about?
Every Industry needs an official Trade Association which provides a voice for a particular work sector. It gives us a status as an industry and means that government will consider our input as a group. By working together with members, the association ensures that their trade is well represented and at its strongest. Trade associations play a crucial role in promoting best practice, and helping companies to become more competitive. They have a duty to ensure that training and qualifications for their sector are both current and appropriate. We want to help, share ideas, organise meaningful events, create connections, build our profile together and show everyone that Flowers and Plants are essential as part of our life. We all work hard in our industry and we love to showcase that fact, whilst having fun along the way.
How do the BFA operate?
The board meet once or twice per year in person and monthly virtual meetings to discuss actions and how to help our members who consist of Florist business members, Corporate members, College members and IPF members.
In our team we have Claire who works for membership and she monitors, rings around and checks everything is up to date. Julie Collins is working on sustainability news for the BFA and Everyone works remotely from their home or shop offices. Currently our manager Tracy, and Claire are paid members of staff 4 days a week along with Nina who is paid to edit our magazine. Kate works for the BFA around two days a week on a freelance basis. All other Directors work as volunteers and everyone put in voluntary hours. Directors are paid for the board meeting days they attend as well as our BFA conference days, unless their business covers the days they are away from the work because they are helping to further the industry. All Directors work across everything to make sure that we help each other cover everything needed. That being said we all have differing skill sets.
Nikki: Focuses on the retail shops needs. She has been putting together the online members tool box as well as looking at new ways to make members aware of the benefits of memberships to them. Nikki also organises the technical side of putting on our events such as Fleurex and Vision.
Tracy: Our Manager looks after our website, answers all the emails and queries that come to us, assists members with any issues, connects all the directors, organises meetings, ticket sales, book sales, our accounts, works on the magazine, and the list goes on and on!
Sandie: Looks after everything educational. Represents the BFA as competition organising partner with WorldSkills UK running the national heats and final floristry competitions. Chairs the Training and Education committee connecting floristry businesses, colleges and tutors. Administers the Institute of Professional florists membership and Chairs the floristry trailblazer apprenticeship committee.
Kate: Works on social media and communications. Working on building relationships and engaging with people/members, creates website content, working on corporate membership, creates floral displays for the BFA events, sits on the Training and Education board and is a manager in the IPF.
Rebecca: Rebecca is a Master Florist and qualified lecturer with a successful background in competition work including winning RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year. Rebecca is a member of the BFA Education and Training Committee and works alongside the team to develop industry qualifications and Standards. Rebecca teaches on the Level 5 Master Diploma programme and is responsible for overseeing the quality and delivery of the Apprenticeship Standards and Level 4 Higher Diploma programme. Rebecca works as a tutor at East Durham college.
Joanne: Jo is an English Master Florist and qualified teacher and has taught Floristry related subjects for over 20 years, during which time she owned a successful floristry retail business in Lincolnshire for 10 years. Jo is a member of the BFA Education and Training Committee and has helped to develop the new Level 2 Apprenticeship Florist Standard with the BFA and the Institute for Apprenticeships. Jo has completed her European Masters qualification in Floristry. Jo teaches on the Level 5 Master Diploma programme and oversees and verifies the apprenticeship programmes.
The Team
Team Contacts:
- Claire Currie: Administration manager Membership@britishfloristassociation.org
- Julie Collins: Sustainability Officer Julie@britishfloristassociation.org
- Nina Tucknott: Magazine Editor Editor@britishfloristassociation.org
The UK Floristry Judges Guild
UK Floristry Judges Guild are an affiliated member of The British Florist Association.
The Guild was established in 2009. The UK Floristry Judges Guild primary function is to standardise judging at floristry competitions throughout the UK and Ireland and to maintain excellence in judging floristry competitions. To read more about the Guild click here https://www.britishfloristassociation.org/uk-floristry-judges-guild/
