Press releases

RHS appoints new Director General

Inga Grimsey has been appointed as Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society. She will take up the top post at the UK’s leading gardening charity on 6 November. Inga succeeds Dr Andrew Colquhoun, who is leaving after seven years to pursue studies in counselling.

Inga was Territory Director at the National Trust from 2001 until 2005, with responsibility for Southern England, encompassing one-third of National Trust operations, including built heritage, countryside and coast. From 1996 until 2001 she was Managing Director of National Trust (Enterprises) Ltd, responsible for all of the Trust’s commercial operations.

Inga qualified with a business degree, specialising in finance, then developed her career for the next 15 years in marketing, brand management and retailing with Sainsbury’s, Levi Strauss and Storehouse plc, where she was Chief Executive of the 'Anonymous' fashion chain. She moved into the not-for-profit sector as Chief Executive of the Ski Club of Great Britain from 1991 until 1996.

Since 2005 Inga has worked in interim consultancy. She is currently Head of Trading at the National Portrait Gallery.

Peter Buckley, President of the RHS, said, “Inga has an exceptional combination of experience in the retail, tourism and charitable sectors which is highly relevant to the wide-ranging interests of the RHS. Inga’s experience with the National Trust in balancing the charitable, public access and financial measures of success will be particularly valuable as we seek to grow and encourage more people to enjoy gardens and gardening. I’m delighted that in Inga, we have found a Director General who can build on the outstanding progress which the RHS has made under Andrew Colquhoun’s stewardship.”

Inga Grimsey said, “I am hugely excited to be joining an organisation I have always admired, particularly for its ability to marry its reputation as a world renowned authority on horticulture with commercial activities which underpin its charitable role.

“My time at the National Trust has given me a great appreciation of the value of gardens and of the importance of horticulture to people of all ages and backgrounds, across the country. I believe strongly that enjoying, and learning more about gardening, enriches people’s lives.

“I am looking forward to helping to develop new opportunities for the Royal Horticultural Society to widen its appeal to even more visitors, as well as getting the support of new members.”

Inga describes her own gardening ability as “strictly amateur and not for public scrutiny, although I have a good crop of tomatoes in London watered from the rain butt!” She has developed her appreciation of horticulture through working with some of the National Trust’s finest gardens, including Sissinghurst, Nymans, Sheffield Park, Mottisfont and Anglesey Abbey, and living on site at  Stourhead.

Notes to Editors

For more information contact: Lynn Beddoe in the RHS Press Office on 020 7821 3077 or e-mail: lynnbeddoe@rhs.org.uk

For an image of Inga, please contact Lynn Beddoe on the contact details above.

www.rhs.org.uk/pressoffice

The RHS is the UK’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. RHS work includes providing expert advice and information, advancing horticulture, training the next generation of gardeners, helping school children learn about plants, and conducting research into plants, pests and environmental issues affecting gardeners.

An interest in gardening is all you need to enjoy being a member of the RHS. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk or call 0845 130 4646.

Founded in 1804, the Royal Horticultural Society is Britain's largest gardening charity and is committed to being the leading organisation demonstrating excellence in horticulture and promoting gardening. Renowned for its outstanding gardens and inspirational flower shows, the RHS is a key source of advice and information for all gardeners. It encourages gardening through its publications, trials, lectures, education programmes and scientific research and is home to the Lindley Library, which contains the most comprehensive collection of horticultural books in the world.

Membership of the Royal Horticultural Society offers many exclusive benefits including a monthly copy of The Garden magazine; free entrance to RHS Gardens Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon, Hyde Hall in Essex and Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire; free access to a further 88 beautiful gardens across Britain and 20 gardens in Belgium and France; access to seeds collected at RHS gardens; free gardening advice and privileged tickets to 18 RHS flower shows, including the Chelsea Flower Show, the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.

For further enquiries about membership of the RHS contact: Membership Department, Royal Horticultural Society, PO Box 313, London SW1P 2PE; 0845 130 4646 Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm or via the RHS website

For more information e-mail the Press Office or visit the online Press Office