John Coombe, the group's current senior independent director will succeed Mr Stocken as chairman of the group with effect from the company's AGM in July. 

Mike Cook has been appointed as Gardman's new garden landscaping category manager, leaving his post as garden sundries buyer for the Garden and Leisure Group. 

Graham Heald will join Homebase on April 16 as the DIY store's director of retail and distribution after having been director of retail services and chairman of Waitrose for Guernsey and Jersey. 

Gardman has appointed Ann Guest, former national sales manager at Haith's, a bird food mail order specialist. 

Crown Paints has announced the promotion of group commercial director Joe Devitt to the role of managing director, with former chief executive Brian Davidson set to assume the role of chairman. 

Napoleon Grills has appointed James Casey as northern territory manager. 

The garden centre and DIY store supplier has recently appointed Dan Meadows as its new operations director. 

Helen Weir, who has enjoyed previous positions at B&Q and Kingfisher plc, has been appointed as the John Lewis Partnership's new group finance director. 

Former Hobbycraft buying and innovation head Conna Powles is joining the head office of Haskins Garden Centres in Ferndown, Dorset. 

Stuart Thraves has been appointed the new marketing manager for Growth Technology in Taunton.