Boyd Douglas-Davies to step down from his role at Webbs after nearly 20 years to pursue new venture with The Hillview Group (THG).
The group plans to start a new group of garden centres, taking over existing sites within the UK. Mr Douglas-Davies set to take up the role of ceo at the firm on April 8 and will head up the acquisition programme.

THG told DIY Week that it intends to become a long-term strategic investor in the garden centre industry and provide shoppers with "a unique destination experience through high-levels of customer care, lifestyle products and knowledgeable advice."

THG founder Nadav Livni commented: "We are extremely excited to be embarking on our new venture with Boyd at the helm. His reputation, expertise and substantial experience in this sector will hold us in good stead. We look forward to 2011 and enjoying a long and fruitful relationship with the garden centre industry."

Independent merchant bank The Hillview Group was founded in 2006. The firm has managed more than $2.5 billion of corporate finance, capital structuring and principal investment transactions across Europe, Africa, Russia and the USA, in the real estate, financial services, healthcare, consumer and industrial sectors.

Following Mr Boyd-Douglas' departure, Webbs executive chairman Ed Webb will take over responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the garden centres.