Meet the Finalists
After an incredible journey through the regional heats, the UK Florist of the Year: Newcomer and UK Florist of the Year 2026 competitions have reached their most exciting stage. From talented competitors across the UK, just six outstanding finalists, in each category, have earned their place in the live final, where they will compete for the ultimate title.
Each finalist has demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity, and determination to reach this point. Now it's time to meet the individuals who have risen to the top and will take centre stage in the live final at Fleurex on Saturday 3rd October. Discover more about our finalists and join us as we celebrate their achievements and cheer them on in the final showdown.
UK Florist of the Year: Newcomer 2026
Catherine Venner
The Garden Atelier
Catherine's first ever word was "pretties". She said it while pointing at the flowers in her parent's garden. To this day, she still loves celebrating the beauty of flowers and foliage. Three years ago, Catherine reignited that childhood dream and enrolled in an evening class at East Durham College. Since then she has not looked back and is enjoying learning new techniques and skills to capture the gorgeous colours and lush textures of nature's garden while developing her own style. Catherine feels participating in the BFA UK Florist of the Year: Newcomer competition is a wonderful opportunity to push her creativity to it's limits.
Daiva Barzdeliene
Decor Ideas ◇ Bloom Boutique
Daiva is the creative force behind Decor Ideas ◇ Bloom Boutique. Her work is inspired by the belief that flowers are more than decoration, they are a language of emotion, beauty, and storytelling. Blending floristry, styling, and artistic design, Daiva creates floral experiences that are both refined and unforgettable. She embraces individuality over trends, allowing every arrangement to reflect its own unique character. Competing inspires her to keep evolving, push creative boundaries, and celebrate the artistry of floristry alongside talented professionals from around the world.
Harriet Walker
Norris Floristry Limited
Harriet is currently studying her Level 2 at The Floristry School in Sheffield, alongside working as an apprentice at Norris Floristry in Glossop. Being relatively new to the competition world, Harriet is excited to be a finalist in the Newcomer category and eager to continue taking on new challenges to further develop her skill set. She is passionate about combining her background in events management with her growing floristry career and love for floral design. Harriet hopes to continue her training by progressing to Level 3 by the end of 2026.
Macy McMeekin
Macy is a florist from the Lake District who’s passion for flowers has taken her on an exciting journey. She has recently completed Floral Design and Fine Art degrees and loves to showcase her creativity with new ideas and expression through colour and delicate materials.
She is delighted to take part in the competition for a second year running and looks forward to the challenge.
Natasha Wright
Alchemy Floral Design
Growing up with a grandmother who was a florist, Natasha's passion for floristry began at an early age, spending countless hours helping in her floral work and developing an appreciation for the creativity and craftsmanship behind every design.
Natasha has completed her Level 2 and is currently studying Level 3 Technical Diploma at Askham Bryan College. Alongside her studies, she works part-time at Roberts Florist in Scarborough, where she enjoys working with a fellow young budding florist. She also shares her passion for floristry through her blog, Alchemy Floral Design, where she documents her creative journey, explores floral techniques, and celebrates the beauty of seasonal flowers.
Taylor Robinson
The Flower Shop South Elmsall
Taylor has worked in a flower shop since she left school. She has a degree in psychology, and loves reading, running and the gym.
Taylor's favourite thing about working in floristry is working the Christmas period and her favourite flower is a peony.
UK Florist of the Year 2026
Allan Raby
East Durham College
Allan is a Floristry Lecturer at East Durham College, Houghall. He loves teaching and helping people find their creative voice through flowers.
He's spent over five years preparing for this competition, pushing himself to grow as a designer and competitor. His work blends strong technical foundations with creative storytelling, whether he's building sculptural pieces or designing intricate head adornments.
He has also mentored students for the Chelsea Flower Show, which keeps sharp and constantly learning. He's passionate about making floristry education accessible to everyone, especially those who learn visually, as he does.
Anja Norris
Norris Floristry Limited
Anja Norris is the Founder and Creative Director of Norris Master Florists in Derbyshire. A Fellow of the Institute of Professional Florists and Master Florist, she combines traditional European training with a contemporary, design-led approach. Her award-winning work ranges from flowers for life’s most personal moments to large-scale botanical installations for exhibitions, television, live environments and brands across the UK and Europe. Driven by a love of craftsmanship and pushing creative boundaries, Anja believes exceptional floristry should tell a story, evoke emotion and leave a lasting impression.
Carol Peacock
Peacock and Wild
Carol Peacock is an award-winning florist, educator and flower grower with over 16 years’ experience in the floral industry. She founded The Blossom Room in 2015, which was rebranded as Peacock & Wild in 2026 to reflect her growing focus on sustainable floristry, British-grown flowers and education. Alongside running her business, Carol has been a floristry lecturer for the past five years, inspiring the next generation of florists. An RHS exhibitor at Wentworth Woodhouse and Sandringham, and a finalist for Best Wedding & Event Florist 2026, Carol combines technical skill with a passion for natural, environmentally conscious floral design.
Danial Spillane
Danial Spillane's Floral Art
Danial is a multi-award-winning floral artist based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. With over a decade of experience. He is recognised for creating expressive floral art inspired by the natural beauty of the Yorkshire landscape, combining technical expertise with an artistic approach. He transforms flowers into sculptural, contemporary designs that celebrate texture, movement, and the changing seasons. His work has received multiple industry awards and reflects a passion for innovation, craftsmanship, and the enduring connection between nature and art.
Helen Pannitt
Helen James Flowers
Helen has been a professional florist for over 40 years and has successfully run her own business in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, since 2004. Throughout her distinguished career, Helen has received numerous prestigious accolades, including three RHS
Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals, and was named Chelsea Florist of the Year in 2019.
She has represented the United Kingdom at the World Floral Art Contest in Beijing, China, and was a finalist in the British Florist Association (BFA) Florist of the Year competition in both 2024 and 2025.
Every design is an opportunity to express creativity through flowers. Drawing inspiration from nature, she uses colour, texture and movement to create distinctive floral art
that reflects the passion in her work.
Katie Haslam
aflorist
Katie is the proud owner of aFlorist in Chesterfield, with her shop now approaching its second anniversary. Completing her Level 4 Higher Diploma at The Floristry School, Sheffield strengthened her drive to keep refining her skills, and pushing her creativity. She has a real passion for competition work and intricate, technical designs, and so returning for her second year in the UK Florist of the Year competition feels especially exciting. Katie is thrilled to be part of another year of inspiring work that pushes creative boundaries.
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