Q. What is your favourite flower?
Of course I have a passion for flowers of all different types. The sight of the first Peonies in summer, or the wild crinkly Parrot tulips in spring is still magical for me.

But my favourite of favourites has to be Sweet Peas.I adore them and never fail to be captivated by their exquisite fragrance.

Q. What is the best part of your job?
I do consider myself very lucky to be doing a job I love. Travelling to different countries all in the pursuit of flowers is my idea of heaven.

Q. So if that's what you love, what bit would you rather do without?
Its got to be the shockingly early mornings. Getting up at 3.30am is something I will never get used to!

Q. What's new this season?
I am delighted with my range for autumn. I have loved seeing the trend for vintage clothes and accessories become ever more popular.

Q. How relevant are environmentally friendly flowers to your work?
As a mother I am very concerned about the environmental impact of what we consume. Flowers are a part of this. It is important that we are able to produce flowers for the next generation whilst sparing as many of the planet's resources as possible. Flowers used in the UK come from all over the world. Increasingly I am working with flowers that are sourced from Fairtrade Growers and promoting ethically responsible farms. Alongside this I am working with British growers of both flowers and plants, making the most of the seasonal availability.

Q. What is happening with flower growers further afield?
I have visited flower growers in Kenya that are powered by geothermal energy. This is sustainable energy that is supplied by deep holes bored into the ground and is used to heat the greenhouses when neccesary. They have also made investments to recycle dirty water using a series of ponds that filter the water naturally with cleansing aquatic plants. This process is known as a Wetland and significantly reduces the level of water replenishment.

Q. How important are Fairtrade flowers?
I have seen first hand the positive impact that this makes on the lives of farm workers' children in Kenya. I have visited a creche funded by Fairtrade. The certification is only given to farms once strict criteria is met. The flowers carry an additional premium which goes back to the farm workers and is then used to fund healthcare, housing and education.