Nurseryman Paul Rochford awarded MBE on King’s Birthday Honour

AIPH has extended congratulations to nurseryman Paul Rochford, Director of Joseph Rochford Gardens, who has been awarded an MBE in The King’s Birthday Honours List for services to horticulture.

Paul is a fifth-generation nurseryman from the Lea Valley area and Director of Joseph Rochford Gardens Ltd, an AIPH Affiliate Member specialising in the supply of nursery stock to commercial businesses. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to growing, nursery production and the wider advancement of horticulture.

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The honour recognises Paul’s contribution to the industry, including his work supporting the commercial nursery stock sector and his role in establishing the Rochford International Rose Trials in 2017. Paul Rochford is listed in the official honours’ announcement as John Paul Rochford, Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, receiving the MBE for services to horticulture.

Joseph Rochford Gardens welcomed the announcement, describing the recognition as a reflection of Paul’s lifelong dedication to the industry, his passion for growing, and his commitment to supporting and advancing horticulture throughout an outstanding career.

© AIPH

AIPH Secretary General Tim Briercliffe said: “We are delighted to congratulate Paul Rochford MBE on this richly deserved honour. Recognition in The King’s Birthday Honours is a proud moment not only for Paul and Joseph Rochford Gardens, but for the wider horticultural industry. It is wonderful to see a lifetime of dedication to horticulture acknowledged in this way.”

Responding to AIPH’s congratulations, Paul said the honour had been “a complete surprise” and that he was “just getting used to the idea.”

AIPH joins colleagues, friends and the wider horticultural community in congratulating nurseryman Paul Rochford MBE on this well-deserved recognition and in celebrating his outstanding contribution to horticulture.