Dobbies appoints Jo Coomber as marketing director

Dobbies Garden Centres has appointed Jo Coomber as marketing director.

She joins Dobbies from Standard Life where she was head of marketing communications and group brand, responsible for marketing communications in the UK and the group’s brand strategy internationally.

Dobbies chief executive James Barnes said: "We are delighted Jo is joining the Dobbies team. Jo brings a wealth of experience from a wide cross-section of industries, encompassing all elements of marketing strategy. We look forward to welcoming Jo and I am confident she will successfully lead the Dobbies marketing team in assisting with the delivery of Dobbies’ vision."

Her previous experience includes leading marketing communications at Sony Ericson Mobile Communications and the Financial Times.

She said: "I am really looking forward to joining the Dobbies team. I am attracted by Dobbies’ vision to become the UK’s leading garden retailer and the critical role that marketing will play in helping Dobbies achieve this goal."

She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and was previously Chair of the Marketing Awards for the Marketing Society Scotland, a voluntary leadership position promoting excellence in Marketing in the Scottish community.

She joins Dobbies, based at its Central Support Office outside Edinburgh, in July 2013.

New Dobbies centres at King’s Lynn and Inverness have both received planning permission and the 32-centre group are in early stages of development plans for each of these sites.

Openings are likely towards the end of 2013.

Source : Matthew Appleby – Horticulture Week
www.hortweek.com