Welcome to the Durston Garden Products Media Centre

Dan Durston is a sixth-generation member of Durston Garden Products Ltd, a family-run business established in 1860. He joined the company in March 1998, spending 18 years in the factory before becoming Production Manager in 2016. His hands-on experience gave him an in-depth understanding of operations, laying the foundation for his transition into sales. After managing the Wales territory, he progressed to National Sales Director, playing a key role in the company's continued growth and success.

Dan has been instrumental in driving the evolution of Durston Garden Products Ltd, leading the business into a new era of innovation. While the company’s heritage is deeply rooted in peat farming, Dan has played a key role in shaping its future, ensuring it aligns with changing consumer preferences, evolving legislation, and the growing need for environmentally responsible solutions. Recognising the necessity of a peat-free future, he has championed a company-wide shift that now underpins every aspect of Durston’s operations, setting the foundation for long-term sustainability and success.

To make this transition a success, Dan has built strong relationships with industry experts, suppliers, and like-minded professionals, refining the perfect balance of high-quality raw materials and bespoke fertiliser formulations. These innovations ensure Durston’s next-generation growing media products deliver top-tier performance, making the switch to peat-free seamless for consumers.

Passionate about education, Dan advocates for greater awareness of peat-free alternatives, helping consumers achieve the same - if not better - results in home growing. He emphasises that while techniques may differ, additional feeding or watering is not required.

Beyond his role at Durston, Dan is an active industry figure, serving on the GIMA Council, the Growing Media Association, and as a Greenfingers Charity ambassador. His expertise, leadership, and dedication continue to drive positive change across the sector.

Simon Blackhurst is a highly experienced consultant and the Director of SJB Quality Consulting Ltd, where he specialises in helping businesses and teams achieve growth through knowledge sharing, strategic guidance, and operational support. With a background spanning FMCG, manufacturing, supply chains, quality management systems (QMS), accreditations, and project management, he has built a strong reputation for delivering effective and sustainable solutions across multiple industries and international markets.

Simon has been described as the UK’s ‘Compost Connoisseur’ and brings an unprecedented amount of expertise and experience to the table, having run one of the UK’s largest compost sites. His deep understanding of the sector, combined with years of knowledge and strong industry connections, has enabled him to create high-performance growing media products that set new benchmarks for effectiveness and sustainability.

Since 2024, Simon has played a key role in shaping the future of peat-free growing media through his close partnership with Durstons. His expertise has been central to the company’s transition towards a high-performance, benchmark-setting peat-free product range, which is now launching following extensive and successful trials. The Durstons products he has developed are a testament to his passion for innovation and his commitment to creating truly effective solutions that support both growers and the environment.

Having spent over 15 years in technical, quality, and manufacturing roles, Simon’s wealth of knowledge allows him to efficiently support businesses with projects and development plans. His impressive array of product experience spans multiple categories, and his insights have been featured in published articles in specialist fields. Well-respected within the FMCG industry, he is recognised for his ability to drive product advancements and deliver impactful solutions.

Simon is also the Project Director for Enrich the Earth (www.enrichtheearth.co.uk), a pioneering initiative focused on advancing sustainable growing solutions. In addition, he serves as Head of the Growing Media Association, where he actively drives innovation and best practices within the sector.

Rooted in a strong work ethic from his early years growing up on a dairy farm in the Northwest of England, Simon learned the value of perseverance, adaptability, and a hands-on approach from a young age. These principles continue to define his career, shaping the way he supports businesses in overcoming challenges and achieving long-term success.