Dobbies appoints Notcutts head Andy King as new MD

The Tesco-owned Dobbies garden centre business has appointed Notcutts chief executive Andy King as its new managing director.

Joining Dobbies at the beginning of September, King will replace James Barnes who left the business last week. Prior to Notcutts, King spent his early career at Boots, W H Smith and Mothercare before joining the Body Shop as global marketing director.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “Andy joins us from Notcutts Garden Centres business where he has been CEO since 2007. He has over 25 years of UK, international and multichannel retail experience with 12 years at board level.

"Andy will help continue to grow Dobbies from our current position; and help us focus on bringing the brand to more customers, working across all channels and with the core Tesco business.

"Andy takes up his role at the beginning of September and Dobbies commercial director, Katharine Poulter, will continue to lead the business in the meantime.”

Meanwhile Max Britten, who is currently working within group financial planning and analysis management at Tesco Group, has been seconded to head up the Dobbies finance team as interim financial director, reporting to Katharine Poulter.

At Notcutts, finance director Andrew Staff will take the role of interim chief executive following King's departure.

Notcutts chairman Edward Creasy said: "Andy has worked with great commitment to develop Notcutts as a company and a brand over the last five years and he leaves the company in excellent shape. We wish him the very best as he moves on to the next stage of his career.

“The search for a new CEO has already started, and Notcutts are confident that they will be able to appoint a first class successor to Andy, given the quality, brand and reputation of the Notcutts Group and the progress made under Andy’s stewardship.”

Source: The Retail Bulletin