Former Hobbycraft buying and innovation head Conna Powles is joining the head office of Haskins Garden Centres in Ferndown, Dorset.
Ms Powles spent six years at Hobbycraft, going from a position as senior buyer to head of buying and innovation. She also has experience buying for Sainsburys based in London and 15 years with department store group Beales, where she progressed to the role of deputy director of buying.

In addition to Ferndown, Dorset the Haskins Garden Centre group has centres at West End in Southampton, Snowhill near Crawley and a £12m new build centre at Roundstone near Worthing.

Chief executive Julian Winfield said: "We are confident that Conna's combination of experience and inspired vision for the quality of both desirable and practical products within our centres will be appreciated by our loyal and discerning customers.

"The time is perfect to enhance and develop the product range. As a retailer Haskins must continue to evolve by developing an innovative, high quality product range that customers have always enjoyed over the years."