A HAMPSHIRE-based plant nursery boss is hoping to grow strong roots with businesses across the county.

Chairman of the world-famous Ampfield-based Hillier Nurseries, Robert Hillier has been appointed chairman of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Business Alliance and with his grass roots in the horticulture trade he plans to inject new shoots into the private sector independent organisation.

Those involved in the partnership include the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight offices of the British Marine Federation, the manufacturers’ organisation EEF, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Directors, the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Enterprise Alliance.

Mr Hillier’s role is to help companies, large and small, along with other bodies, to access local and national support services.

He promised to help and steer the alliance in its role “as a conduit between individual businesses and the region’s local enterprise partnerships” in his new job.

“It is essential for the regional economy that businesses have ready access to support and can influence policy. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Business Alliance is playing a key role in shaping a powerful, integrated private sector voice,” said Mr Hillier.

His highly successful family business founded in Winchester by Edwin Hillier in 1864, now has a turnover of around £27 million and employs 450 across 14 garden centres, trade cash and carry centres and nurseries.

Hillier’s scooped its 70th consecutive gold medal at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show run by the Royal Horticultural Society.

The HIBA partnership was formed following Lord Heseltine’s ‘No Stone Unturned’ report which emphasised the private sector’s role in co-ordinating support for businesses to help them grow. As part of HIBA’s five year business manifesto its officials have called on the government to ensure a strategic, long-term growth plan for the whole economy