Floristry provision named best in country at industry awards

The college were named as Training Provider of the Year at the British Florist Association (BFA) Awards, in a ceremony that recognises and celebrates the best that the industry has to offer. In addition, Myerscough tutor, Susanna Brandon, was shortlisted for Floristry Tutor of the Year at the Gala Dinner, held at the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth.

The British Florist Association is the official voice of the UK floristry industry and the only trade organisation in the industry to be formally recognised as such. The annual awards are judged by an expert panel with additional votes received from BFA members, to make the winners truly representative of the cream of the industry.

Susanzna, who lectures in Floral Art & Design at Myerscough, attended the awards and said: “We all work so hard to provide the best possible training for our students, so it’s nice to be recognised for all the time and hard work we put in.

‘’As a provider of education and training for the floristry industry, winning an award when up against such stiff competition really is a coup for us.

‘’It’s been another successful academic year for the floristry department, with activity including the staging of several major exhibitions showcasing the work of Myerscough College floristry degree students, all of which were a huge success, and a student who was named among the best talent in the UK after landing a bronze in the national final of the WorldSkills event.

‘’With the new term well underway, the department is already working hard on this year’s events.’’

Myerscough College’s floristry provision has been recognised as sector-leading for a long time, with a strong student offer allowing learners the pathway into a successful career in the profession. This offer has lead to a host of industry awards and nominations over the last few years alone. The College was the first in the country to offer higher education level online study and also regularly attracts some of the industry’s biggest names to work closely with students, including in previous years internationally acclaimed artists Damien Koh, Pim van den Akker, Marie-Françoise Déprez, Hans Haverkamp, Thomas de Bruyne, Per Benjamin and Max van de Sluis.

The photograph shows Floristry & Creative Design tutors, Julie Phillips & Susanna Brandon, being presented with the Training Provider of the Year award by Sandie Griffith, Vice Chair of the British Florist Association on the evening of the gala dinner & awards ceremony.

Myerscough College runs floral design courses at further and higher education level, with a range of full and part-time options available. The College also leads the way in offering innovative study methods, such as an Online Foundation Degree in Commercial Floral Design, which enables students to achieve a vocational based Higher Education qualification through part-time study.