The Garden Centre Group has appointed Stuart Whalley as buyer for garden care.
Mr Whalley began his career as a trainee assistant manager at Woolworths, before joining Country Gardens' Windlesham centre, now owned by The Garden Centre Group, as a management trainee.

He then worked at the head office of Wyevale Hereford during the takeover by the group, and then at Winnersh Garden Centre, before taking on a full-time purchasing role at Country Gardens' head office.

In his new role Mr Walley will be the buyer of a range of products including fencing, fireworks, fuel, garden buildings and structures, machinery and paving for the group's 119 garden centres nationwide.

Purchasing director Stephen Pitcher said: "On behalf of the team at The Garden Centre Group I would like to welcome Stuart to the company. He has a great deal of experience in the horticultural and retail industries."