The Poppy's team
Margaret Drew MSF
Director and Floral designer
City and guilds 1, 2 and 3.
A NAFAS area demonstrator and an award winner at national level several times I came to floristry through flower arranging and set up the shop in 1993. With our team we have won the 'Southwest region retail florist of the year' for 3 consecutive years. I am constantly amazed with the variety of flowers available today and as a flower arranger I love all garden foliages and incorporating them into my designs. I love entering floristry competitions and have been very successful at national level and was recently selected by NAFAS to assist in the floral decoration of Westminster Abbey for their golden anniversary. I am passionate about all flowers but if I had to name my favourites they'd be peonies and sweet peas.
David Drew
Director and Corporate manager
After many successful years as an estate agent handling the sales of high quality country houses in the West Country, I decided to seek pastures new and was fortunately able to persuade my wife Margaret to set up Poppys. My intention was to return to the property business but such was the immediate success that I am still here as a full time team member after 16 years. Together with Gemma and Natasha my main role apart from day-to-day admin is to enhance and improve our already successful corporate customer base.
Natasha Sones
Assistant Manager and Floral designer
National certificate in floristry level 1& 2.
I started as a Saturday girl before leaving floristry to train as a teacher but I realised floristry was my true passion and returned to train as a florist, joining Poppys in 2006. I really relish wedding work and have an interest in Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) having spent some time in Japan. My favourite flowers are hydrangeas and Peonies.
Gemma Fowler
Assistant Manager and Floral designer
Advanced national certificate in floristry level 3.
A florist since 2002, I came to Poppys in 2004. I started as a wedding florist before moving in to retail floristry. I still love the wedding work but also enjoy the variety the everyday running of a shop brings. I have a real passion for corporate work, when I can be creative and able to have a free hand to use my imagination and flair. I also enjoy competition work particularly intricate designs and my aim is to be at Chelsea 2010. My favourite flowers are orchids although I adore many.
Jacqui Foster
Floral designer
City and Guilds in flower arranging
I began as a hairdresser before realising my love for flowers and moving in to floristry joining Poppys 9 years ago. I have a general admiration for floral design and what can be achieved and get great satisfaction from the customer’s reaction to my work. I love all aspects of floristry but in particular the larger, bolder designs. My favourite flowers would have to be peonies, sweet peas, stocks and most country/summer flowers.
Ginny Johnson
Floral designer
My passion for floristry began at an early age when I worked for a florist as a Saturday girl at the age of 15 and I soon realised that this would be the career for me.I have gained an Interflora diploma and won district awards in several competitions. I joined the team at Poppys in early 2008. I like strong,structural and vibrant arrangements and my favourite flowers incude lilies and sunflowers.
Sue Hodder
Floral designer and Delivery driver
National certificate in floristry level 1& 2.
After a long and successful career in an office environment, I decided a change of direction would be good for me. I enrolled on a floristry course at Bicton Collage in 2006, leaving with a National Certificate in Floristry - Levels 1 and 2. I have worked part-time for Poppy’s for 2 years. I particularly enjoy contact with the customers and, of course, the chance to work in such a creative and friendly workplace.
Glynis Steele
Delivery driver
Prior to joining the Poppys team in 2001 I worked in the telecommunications industry as a customer service advisor and was also enjoying a floristry course at Bicton College, Devon. I decided that working in a retail florist as a driver would not only enable me to enjoy my passion for flowers but also I would be an ambassador as the link between the shop and the customer.
