Scheme helps develop future horticulture industry leaders
Applications have been opened for the 2026 LSA Fellowship Scheme, with a deadline to apply of 31 October.
The LSA Charitable Trust is again seeking the future leaders of the UK horticulture industry to join the LSA CT Fellowship Scheme.
The two-year programme kicks off on 1 January 2026, and each fellow will receive a £3,000 bursary to support them. The scheme is open to new entrants and developing managers who are on a professional management pathway within commercial UK horticulture.
The Fellowship Scheme is designed to cultivate and encourage prospective industry leaders, safeguarding the future of UK horticulture. The programme is supported by a coalition of leading organisations, including the NFU, British Growers Association, the Horticultural Trades Association, and the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.
Through the initiative, participants will gain insights into the breadth of the commercial horticulture sector, actively engaging in strategic leadership activities. The programme equips fellows with a deeper understanding of the vital role trade bodies, crop associations and a range of stakeholders play in shaping the direction of the industry and influencing government policy.
Fellows also benefit from funded opportunities to attend national conferences, sector study tours and key industry events that would typically lie outside the scope of their day-to-day employment roles.
In addition, the scheme provides access to the latest horticultural research, enabling participants to understand and appreciate its potential impact and application.
Martin Emmett, LSA trustee and chair of the NFU Horticulture & Potatoes Board, said: “The Fellowship Scheme offers a unique opportunity for emerging professionals to broaden their horizons beyond their day-to-day roles.
“It gives participants direct exposure to the organisations, research, and policy discussions that shape the future of UK horticulture. For many, it becomes a springboard into leadership, equipping them with the networks, insight, and confidence to make a lasting contribution to our industry.”
