Mr Grayson replaces current managing director Andrew Smith, who is leaving the company for personal reasons and to focus on new challenges. 

The distributor has rerouted its sales team into northern and southern regions due to year-on-year growth in its core business. 

Lisa Looker, a former director at Mary Portas' communications agency Yellowdoor, joins Haskins' head office team based at Ferndown, Dorset, as the £31m gardening retailer's first director of marketing. 

A group of 97 trekkers including Kelkay operations manager Debs Dugher recently completed the Heroes 5 Peaks Challenge, raising more than £90,000 for the charity. 

Carol Paris, known for her role as operations director at the Garden & Leisure Group, has agreed to become the Horticultural Trades Association's new director general. 

Helen Richardson from tree and shrub seed supplier Forestart has been elected chair of the Horticultural Trades Association's Tree and Hedging Group at its recent AGM. 

Andrew Higginson, former senior executive and board director at Tesco Plc, is to be the next chairman of discount retailer Poundland. 

Tony Mash, who has been British Coatings Federation chief executive officer for three years, has retired following the group's annual conference. 

Sika has appointed Lauren Hemmings as area sales manager covering the south east and south east London, and Simon Flecknell as area sales manager for central England. 

The sealants and adhesives manufacture is bidding farewell to one of its longest standing employees, Alastair Fergusson, as he announces he is to retire from the business.