Announced at a ceremony held on the 27th February 2025 in London, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) received an award for Member Engagement and the Rising Star Award, with special congratulations to Senior Policy Executive Katie Neenan for her individual achievement. Since joining the HTA as an International Relations graduate, Neenan has made significant contributions, including leading the delivery of a new HTA Welsh Manifesto and Senedd engagement.
Supported by the Department for Business and Trade, the UK Trade Association Awards recognise, reward, and promote best practices among trade associations in the UK and highlight the work HTA has done on behalf of its members over the past year.
“It’s fantastic to see the HTA team acknowledged last night for all their hard work and dedication. Our members are at the heart of everything we do, and our team work tirelessly to drive engagement and develop benefits for all members. The awards showcase the efforts across the HTA team and being shortlisted for three awards is a testament to the work we deliver. I’d like to extend my personal congratulations to both Katie Neenan and the Membership Engagement team as we collectively celebrate their achievements”, said Fran Barnes, HTA Chief Executive.
Neenan said: “It’s so exciting to have won this award. I’m really grateful for the recognition and to our team for putting me forward. I want to thank the HTA for supporting my development and can’t wait for what’s to come.”
The Membership Engagement Award recognised the success of the HTA Regional Events series. With member experience at the core of the HTA, engagement remains a top priority—focused on both retention and recruitment. Research revealed a strong demand for more networking opportunities, which led to the launch of the HTA regional event programme, which has since played a vital role in strengthening member connections.
Tim Bell, Head of Member Engagement said: “We’re delighted to receive this award on behalf of the HTA and would like to thank the members who have helped us get this initiative off the ground, by giving their time, attending, and agreeing to host. It’s been fantastic to see the industry come together at venues across the UK, and we are very much looking forward to meeting with many more at the regional events in the coming months.”