Penningtons Manches Cooper celebrates latest winners of the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition at Kew Gardens
Penningtons Manches Cooper is proud to return as the 2026 headline sponsor of the International Garden Photographer (IGPOTY), a major global photography competition that celebrates plants, gardens and the natural world through outstanding images.
Today, Helen Drayton, Penningtons Manches Cooper’s CEO joined Tyrone McGlinchey, IGPOTY’s managing director and head judge, at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for a prestigious event to announce the winners of IGPOTY’s Competition 19 and unveil the latest exhibition.
Competition 19’s overall winner – selected from the nine main category winners – is Mark Hetherington from Cumbria. His entry, ‘Grange Fell Last Light’ was taken in Borrowdale, in the Lake District, England’s largest national park.
Penningtons Manches Cooper is also delighted to continue its additional sponsorship of the PMC Plants and Planet category for a second consecutive year. The category explores the relationship between plants and a changing climate, highlighting both their vulnerability and their vital role in sustaining ecosystems. IGPOTY donates a portion of its proceeds from the category to WeForest’s reforestation programmes.
This year’s winning PMC Plants and Planet image is ‘Mangrove Restoration’ by Stephen Studd, featuring mangrove recovery efforts in Kep, Cambodia.
Helen Drayton commented:“Seeing the stunning portrayal of our natural environment in this year’s submissions brings into sharp focus not only the skill of the photographers who took part, but also what we risk losing if we don’t protect it. Sustainability is central to our ethos as a responsible business and we are proud to be part of the mission behind this competition. Congratulations to all.”
Commenting on the firm’s support, Tyrone McGlinchey said:
“I would like to sincerely thank Penningtons Manches Cooper for its support, we are very proud to have the firm as Headline Sponsor for 2026. The sponsorship helps IGPOTY continue its mission to inspire audiences, both old and new to love nature and photography via its competitions and exhibitions.”
Stephen Studd said:
“I am absolutely honoured to have won first place in the PMC Plants and Planet category. An IGPOTY Award is without doubt the most prestigious recognition in garden photography, bringing together remarkable talent from around the world whilst highlighting the importance of protecting and cherishing our green planet.”
Now celebrating its 20th year, IGPOTY welcomes entries from photographers at every level – from amateurs to seasoned professionals – and attracts submissions from across the globe.
Following the main exhibition at Kew, which runs until 9 March, a touring exhibition will visit several UK locations, providing Penningtons Manches Cooper’s colleagues and clients with further opportunities to view the collection. The venues include Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Cambridge University Botanic Garden and Blenheim Palace gardens near Oxford.
Reflecting on this year’s overall winner, Tyrone McGlinchey said:
“The winning photograph depicts a stunning landscape vista, full of plant life, with layers of colour and tactile textures, and through a well-balanced composition, truly immerses us in the scene. The use of multiple exposures has allowed us to see the environment in all its glory – many congratulations to Mark.”
The category winners were:
- Abstract Views – Ian Gilmour: Autumn flurry
- Beautiful Gardens – Stephen Studd: Lower pool, Exbury Gardens
- Breathing Spaces – Mark Hetherington: Grange Fell Last Light
- PMC Plants & Planet (Sponsor: Penningtons Manches Cooper) – Stephen Studd: Mangrove Restoration
- The Beauty of Plants – Alison Tinson: Game, Set and Match
- The World of Fungi – Tony North: Amethyst Deceivers
- Trees, Woods & Forests – Grant Bulloch: Glen Affric
- Wildflower Landscapes – Bernadette Benz: Alpine Cotton Balls
- Wildlife in the Garden – Perdita Petzl: Rare Beauty
Find out more by visiting the IGPOTY website.