Dunmow florist Stephanie joins Good Florist Guide Council

Stephanie Harris, who owns The Rose Garden Florists, has been a member of the council for eight years and last year became the UK Retail Florist of the Year in the BFA Industry Awards.

Prior to retraining and opening her own shop, Stephanie worked in both the public and private sector as a programme manager, and will bring her business knowledge to the council.

She will work alongside fellow council members Karen Lindsay, Karen Massey, Nicola Evans and Morgan Douglas Nuth, and will be chairman of the florist panel for the newly-launched National Florist Day on June 8.

Commenting on her appointment, Stephanie said: "Good Florist Guide is everything I want for the industry I love. 

"A kitemark of quality, an expectation of the highest standards and a supportive and safe community that shares their knowledge willingly to help their fellow florist.

"To be able to take a lead on National Florist Day is a bonus. 

"In an industry where every Tom, Dick and Harriet seems to think they can sell flowers, it is essential we stand together to promote just what a professional, skilled florist is and the work and dedication that goes in to making customer’s dreams come true."

The Rose Garden Florist supplies floral arrangements for all occasions, and was opened by Stephanie and her father Terry in 2015 after the loss of Stephanie's mum and Terry's wife Rose - who the shop is named after.

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The aim of the Good Florist Guide is to certify high quality businesses, once described as 'the Michelin star for florists'.

A statement from the Good Florist Guide says: "Our team seeks out florists who put their full heart and personality into their work so that we can readily guarantee a wonderful shopping experience from each of them.

"Good Florist Guide members (GFGers) go the extra mile for their customers; they stock the freshest flowers, they keep ahead of the trends, they know what they’re talking about and, above all, they care."