THE FIRST-EVER head of the RHS Malvern Spring Festival has said she aims to continue the event’s growth and reputation under her leadership.
Jane Furze will now oversee the third largest gardening show in the country – after RHS Chelsea and RHS Hampton Court – as well as monitoring the growth and development of the increasingly successful partnership between the Three Counties and the Royal Horticultural Society – the world’s leading gardening charity.
Jane joined the team last month in what is a brand new role for the festival. Her career includes more than 20 years at Kraft Foods where she led the marketing for household names such as Cadbury’s, Kenco Coffee and Philadelphia Cheese, both in the UK and internationally.
Following her stint at Kraft Foods, Jane joined Cheltenham Festivals as literature festival director where she enhanced the event’s profile and reputation as well as gaining strong sponsor support.
Speaking of her appointment, she said: “I am so excited to be heading up RHS Malvern Spring Festival and working with the team to ensure it continues to develop its gardening, food and lifestyle themes.
“In addition to the arts, I am a great lover of gardening and the outdoors – I have been an RHS member for years – so this new challenge plays perfectly to my interests and commercial background. Furthermore, I am proud to play my part in developing the profile of the Three Counties, which include Herefordshire and Worcestershire, along with my own home county of Gloucestershire.
“The 2017 event is already shaping up to be extra special.”
Ken Nottage, chief executive of Three Counties, said he was confident Jane could continue to make the festival the ‘premier gardening event’ of the Midlands and South West with her wealth of big event experience.
He added: “We are delighted to welcome Jane to Three Counties where we have been on a path of significant commercial growth and development over the past few years, particularly with RHS Malvern Spring Festival. Jane brings with her a wealth of corporate and big event experience in senior management roles and we are all greatly looking forward to working with her.”
Next year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival takes place from Thursday, May 11 to Sunday, May 14 and will celebrate and showcase the best in gardening and food.
Visitors can immerse themselves in RHS gold medal-winning show gardens, a floral marquee with finest quality plants for sale as well as a vibrant food and drink pavilion overflowing with artisan British produce.
For more details, visit www.rhs malvern.co.uk or call 01684 584924.
