After months of speculation in the industry, Dobbies Garden Centres confirms Nicholas Marshall has left the business, with an announcement that chief operating officer Graeme Jenkins is stepping into the role.

Rumours began circulating in January this year that Dobbies chief executive Nicholas Marshall had left the business, which promoted the garden centre operator to publish details of a head office reshuffle. It revealed that COO Lorrie Robertson and purchasing director Andrew West – who joined Dobbies with Mr Marhsall in 2017 - had left and that their positions were to be filled by Graeme Jenkins and former head of online horticulture Marcus Eyles.  

It was also announced that regional director, Nick Anderson, had been promoted to retail director. However, the company maintained that Mr Marshall was still in position as CEO, despite insiders reporting he had not been seen at Dobbies head office for some time.

Dobbies has, today, announced the appointment of Graeme Jenkins as chief executive officer with immediate effect; confirming that Mr Marshall has left the company but providing no further information.  

Mr Jenkins joined Dobbies as chief financial officer in 2016, following the acquisition of the garden centre business by Midlothian Capital Partners and Hattington Capital. 

Dobbies Chairman Andrew Bracey said in a statement: “The Board is delighted to appoint Graeme as our CEO, having worked closely with him over the last two years.  We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Nicholas Marshall for his support and leadership during his time as CEO.  The Board wish him well for the future.”

Mr Jenkins added: “Dobbies is a great business with an incredibly talented team, and I am very pleased to be appointed as Chief Executive.  We have had a strong start to 2018 and I am confident that we will be able to grow the business successfully over the coming years.”