Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE

Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, Director General of Gardenex and PetQuip

Since 1991 Amanda Sizer Barrett has been director general of the Federation of Garden & Leisure Manufacturers Ltd. Her role involves working with the federation's chairman, non-executive directors, secretariat and member companies to help UK businesses increase international sales of garden and leisure products. When she joined the export federation, her first task was to formulate a long-term business plan for Gardenex. Its main aims were to increase the federation's range of services and initiatives, boost membership, expand international sales opportunities for its members and to lobby with government in order to increase funding and support for gardening and leisure exporters.

Following her appointment, membership of Gardenex increased by 45%, activities quadrupled and now every year the federation helps around 200 British garden product manufacturers to commence or expand their international sales. The federation’s members employ over 10,500 people and are responsible for direct export sales of over £140 million annually.

In 2000 she was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List, for services to export.

PetQuip, a new division of the Federation, was launched in May 2006 to provide similar export help and support to firms supplying the pet products and accessories trade. Already pet product member firms have received cash grants at Interzoo and Zoomark, accessed international market research, attended a major International Trade Forum and had the chance to meet individually with 9 key international buyers to discuss their product ranges; more activities and events are taking place during 2007. 

The UK government this year has awarded a record 11 international trade shows in the gardening and leisure and pet product sectors with cash grant funding for eligible exhibitors after being lobbied by the federation.

Prior to joining Gardenex, Amanda was a business journalist. She was editor of a DIY, gardening and housewares publication which she left to join the export federation. Previously she was deputy editor of a monthly consumer leisure title and her journalistic career started in the international technical publications department of the Civil Aviation Authority.

Educated at grammar school in Surrey, she then completed an Honours degree in English and Classics at university.

She is married with one daughter and lives in Wadhurst, East Sussex.

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