UK: New Plant Healthy lead for Wyevale Nurseries

Hereford-based Wyevale Nurseries has this month appointed a member of its internal pool of homegrown young horticultural talent, Julia Giermaniuk as its new Plant Healthy Lead. Julia's new role includes maintaining in-house support and coordination in preparation for the family-run company's annual Plant Healthy audits, while also sharing best practices and fostering continuous improvement across divisions.

Julia, who is already a Tree Division Technical Specialist at Wyevale Nurseries, says: "I am delighted with my new appointment, which will mean, in addition to my role at trees, that I will be overseeing the requirements and compliance needed for the Plant Healthy Certification across all four of our nursery divisions.

"I am also now Wyevale Nurseries' representative on the Ornamentals Technical Committee, which is a huge honor."

Julia Giermaniuk

After studying for a BSc in Plant Biology and MSc in Biotechnology, both at Aberystwyth University, the 27-year-old decided she wanted a more hands on, outdoor career, so she joined Wyevale Nurseries as a seasonal worker in April 2021. While onsite she was soon identified as having talent and was promoted to a management trainee in September of the same year.

Andy Johnson, Managing Director of Wyevale Nurseries, says: "I am delighted that after four years with us, and building upon an excellent technical background, Julia has agreed to take on this key role.

"Plant health and biosecurity are at and the heart of what we do as a nursery, and it is great to see the project lead being headed up by one of our own young homegrown talents and backed up by the highly skilled staff in all our production departments. I wish Julia every success as she continues to build her career with us."