Every year the BFA Industry Awards shine a spotlight on the incredible talent, skill, and dedication across the whole UK floristry industry. From florists working in retail, weddings and events, to wholesalers, suppliers, and service providers, the Awards celebrate everyone who helps make this industry so vibrant. We’re proud that they continue to grow stronger, year after year.
Behind the scenes, a rigorous judging process ensures that every finalist and winner is chosen on merit. Our judging panel is made up of experts with decades of experience, representing a wide range of perspectives across floristry and beyond. Each category is carefully assessed against set criteria, with judges’ scores combined with the public vote to decide the outcome.
This year’s shortlist has been one of the strongest to date and narrowing it down to our finalists was no easy task. Their talent, passion, and hard work shone through every entry – and we can’t wait to celebrate them all.
So, who are the people bringing their expertise to the table?
Meet your judges for the BFA Industry Awards 2025…
Julia Ryde – UK Floristry Judges Guild
With over 20 years’ floristry experience, Julia Ryde has spent much of her career in vocational education, teaching floral design from FE through to HE. Holding an MA in Education and extensive industry qualifications, she combines academic expertise with commercial practice. A member of the UK Floristry Judges Guild since 2011, she has held several positions and now leads on new judge training and competitor development. Julia is passionate about raising standards, encouraging creativity, and promoting competitions as a platform for professionalism in the industry.
Lynda Owen – UK Floristry Judges Guild
With a floristry career spanning over 40 years, Lynda Owen has been a respected judge since 1984, officiating at major competitions across the UK, Ireland, and internationally. Highlights include the Interflora World Cup, Eurofleurs, the Europa Cup, and the Russian National Championship. She has also managed British competitors on the world stage and is a founder member of the UK Floristry Judges Guild. Lynda is passionate about upholding excellence and integrity in floristry judging worldwide. You’ll also recognise Linda as the author of the Professional Florists’ Manual and several other industry publications.
Kate Whelan – Florist and Florint Judge
Kate Whelan discovered her passion for floristry after studying crafts and surface pattern at university, building her career in retail before specialising in weddings and events. She has worked internationally, including Bermuda, and later gained teaching qualifications to share her expertise. A former BFA Board Director and Vice Chair, Kate holds Level 4 and 5 Professional Floristry qualifications and is now a certified Florint Judge, bringing both UK and international experience to the judging panel.
Kate Cooney – Corporate Partnership Manager, Perennial
With over 30 years of experience in the recruitment industry, Kate has a proven track record in building relationships and creating successful partnerships. She was headhunted by Perennial to become Corporate Partnership Manager, where she now works closely with businesses across horticulture and its allied trades to develop strong, mutually beneficial partnerships that not only support the charity’s vital work but also strengthen the industry she is proud to serve.
Nigel Jenney – Chief Executive, Fresh Produce Consortium.
Nigel leads the FPC Executive Team, providing strategic direction to drive growth and membership. His career began with the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries for Scotland before moving into senior management with Heinz, overseeing convenience food production. He later became Managing Director of a major vegetable co-operative, managing fresh and prepared product operations across the UK and Europe for retail, food service, and manufacturing. Nigel also brings governance expertise through several Non-Executive Directorships.
Katrina Skybak-Doyle – Cloud Hill Flowers
Katrina is the founder and creative force behind Cloud Hill Flowers, with her Norwegian heritage inspiring the name. A Distinction graduate of Writtle University College, Katrina is an award-winning floral designer and event stylist known for her sustainable methods and detail-driven approach. Based in Essex, she brings extensive experience from the events and hospitality industries in the UK and Spain. Twice crowned BFA Awards Wedding & Event Florist of the Year, Katrina offers invaluable insight from both sides of the competition.
Donna Cornish – Florist and BFA’s Retail Director
Donna Cornish is the BFA’s Retail Director and the owner of Flowers by Donna Cornish, which she has successfully run since 2009. With over 20 years in the floristry industry, Donna’s passion began in childhood, inspired by gardening and arranging flowers with her grandmother. As Retail Director, she champions florists of every kind – retail, studio, freelance, event, and wedding – bringing the community together under the BFA banner. An award-winning florist, twice recognised at the BFA Awards, Donna balances running her thriving shop with family life as a mum to two young daughters.
Jo Biddle – Training and Education Director of the BFA
Jo has worked in floristry education for over 30 years and now leads Training and Education for the BFA. With experience spanning a successful retail business and the further education sector, she went on to establish The Floristry School in Sheffield. Jo is Lead Assessor for LANTRA, ensuring high standards across the industry, and also serves as an Industry Board Member for City & Guilds. She advises the Department for Education on developing accredited floristry programmes nationwide.
Howard Franklin – International Lecturer, Demonstrator and Judge of Professional Floristry and Floral Design.
Howard Franklin is one of the most respected names in floristry, with a career spanning international lecturing, demonstrating, and judging. He trained with Constance Spry and Moyses Stevens, was personal florist to a member of the Royal Family, and created designs for Princess Anne’s wedding. A World Champion for Bridal Design, Chelsea Flower Show Gold Grenfell Medallist, and experienced judge at national and international competitions, Howard brings unrivalled expertise to the BFA Awards.
Wendy Rea – BFA Services Director and Business Development Manager at Direct2Florist
Wendy’s passion for flowers began as a Saturday girl at 13, and by 22 she owned her first shop – later running several florists across the North West. Over her career she has trained with leading florists and demonstrated commercial floristry around the world. Today, Wendy is Business Development Manager at Direct2Florist and Services Director at the BFA. She is deeply committed to supporting florists and believes passionately in the importance of a strong, independent Association.
Emma McKay – Lecturer
Emma is a lecturer in Animal Management, delivering both BTEC qualifications and T Levels at Sheffield College.
Jill Timms – Sustainability
Dr Jill Timms has been investigating sustainability in floriculture for over two decades. She is co-founder of the Sustainable Flowers Research Project, a founding Fellow of the Institute for Sustainability, Academic Expert to the Sustainable Church Flowers movement, co-lead of the Flower Growing Collective and Expert Advisor to the Sustainable Floristry Network. Jill is an Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of Surrey, teaching and researching issues of climate crisis, sustainable consumption and agriculture, certification practices, and the future of work. She is Editor in Chief of the journal Sociology and Academic Lead for the SeNSS regional doctoral training programme.
Charmaine Taylor – C Taylor’s Floristry
With over 10 years in floristry and training at Writtle College, Charmaine has built a reputation for creating floral magic at hundreds of weddings and events. Known for her loose, natural style and statement arches, she leads a multi-award-winning business in Chelmsford, recommended by leading venues across Essex and Suffolk. Crowned BFA Awards 2024 Wedding and Event Florist of the Year, Charmaine knows first-hand what it’s like on the other side and brings valuable insight and experience to the judging panel.
Nicola Armstrong – The Bloom Room Cumbria
Based in rural Cumbria, Nicola, founder of The Bloom Room, has been creating floral designs at the heart of her community since 2012. With a background in the arts, her distinctive style has taken her beyond her hometown to work with global brands, exclusive hotels, and high-end clients. Renowned for her bespoke tribute work, she is also an ambassador for Oasis® Floral Products. In 2022, Nicola’s talent and dedication were recognised when she was named BFA Retail Florist of the Year.
With the judges’ marks now combined with the public vote, our 2025 finalists have been revealed – discover the full list here.
And while the Awards Dinner is sold out, you can still join the celebrations with a Live Stream ticket.
New for 2025, head to the Atrium Bar from 8pm to watch the ceremony unfold live on screen, enjoy a drink, and soak up the atmosphere. If you’re one of the lucky winners, you’ll be just steps away from the main stage to collect your trophy, grab those photo moments, and enjoy your applause. Once the winners are crowned, finish the night in style on the dance floor at the after-party disco – all for just £30.
