In This Issue
Rosebourne Aldermaston opens - GTN Xtra photo tour
St Johns buy Wyevale Ashford Barnstaple
St Johns buy Wyevale Ashford Barnstaple
UK’s first recyclable pots arrive at Hillier Nurseries
UK’s first recyclable pots arrive at Hillier Nurseries
Zest 4 Leisure launches new products
More extremes for Christmas?
Small space, wide range from Wagner
Bestselling Christmas Storybooks are back for 2018
Storms hit plant sales
When Wyevale Sudbury became Perrywood: the work behind the takeover
When Wyevale Sudbury became Perrywood: the work behind the takeover
Former Gardman and Solus chief takes helm for new owners at Primrose
Former Gardman and Solus chief takes helm for new owners at Primrose
Lechuza undergoes re-branding project
New forums aim to help garden and DIY manufacturers to face post-Brexit challenges
PATS Telford breaks 2,000-visitor mark…AGAIN!
Poundbury Gardens sows seeds for school garden competition success
Here's your Christmas pressie from Kelkay...
Sales Representative - North West
Furniture / Christmas Retail Managers
Home Retail Manager
Plant Area Manager – Hardy Plants
Buyer/Category Manager (Home)
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
New sheds and planters from Keter and Stewart Garden
Plant support products fly off the shelves after high winds
Perrywood fined £104,000
Perrywood fined £104,000
Veg gardeners know their onions are electric
Velcro® Brand Demonstrates its Sticking Power with New Fix-Pro® Mounting Tape Range
Will this week be a bumper weekend for growing media sales?
Wild Bird Care looks forward to colder weather
Last chance to book for GIMA sales workshop
Rosebourne Aldermaston opens - GTN Xtra photo tour
The best of last week's
The best of last week's
Wyevale sell Sidmouth to Kings and Solihull to Rosebourne, 2 others go to developers
Wyevale Christmas Trees are the Best
Wyevale Nurseries hunts for new staff to help it grow
Peter Seabrook receives Honorary Degree at Writtle University College Graduation ceremony
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
New look Café Bar at Squire's in Badshot Lea
lunch! celebrates another year of record-breaking attendance
Situations Vacant
Sales Representative - North West
 
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Furniture / Christmas Retail Managers
40 Hours per week, Full Time Permanent Position
 
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Home Retail Manager
40 Hours per week, Full Time Permanent Position
 
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Former Gardman and Solus chief takes helm for new owners at Primrose
 

Former Gardman and Solus CEO Mark Pearson has taken the helm at Primrose following the online garden retailer’s acquisition by investors Rockpool.

 

The £6.5m deal was facilitated by bankers OakNorth. Primrose is the UK’s largest online pureplay garden retailer.

 

With Rockpool’s support, Primrose, with Pearson as CEO,  aims to expand its product offering across new categories, invest in its website and further penetrate European markets

 

OakNorth deals with with private equity firms this year include those for Lonsdale Capital’s acquisition of Simmons Bars and Literacy Capital’s acquisition of Dartmouth Partners.

 

Rockpool has invested around £350m in 70 companies across a diverse range of industries since its inception in 2012.

 

Founded in 2003, Primrose has an active customer base of more than 2.5m people with its products sold in the UK, US, and Europe.

 

Rockpool has appointed highly-experienced private equity industry chairman David Brock as non-executive chairman and will appoint a further non-executive director to support the business, with one of their partners, Darran Green, attending Primrose board meetings as the investor representative.

 

While Rockpool hold a majority stake, the management team have also invested significantly.

 

There have been several investments by private equity firms in the UK garden sector over the past few years - Foresight Private Equity’s acquisition of Hobbies Direct in June, Midlothian and Hattington Capital’s acquisition of Dobbies Garden Centres in 2016, and Rutland Partners’ acquisition of Gardman Group in 2015.

 

Commenting on the deal, Adam Agius, debt finance director at OakNorth, said: “Primrose is a well-run online business with an excellent reputation for providing high-quality garden products, service and support. In Rockpool, they’ve found a partner who can help take the business to the next level and ensure it’s prepared for a future that’s increasingly digital and increasingly international. Mark Pearson has been working alongside senior management at Primrose for a year so is well positioned to transition to CEO. We’re delighted to have supported the business with this acquisition and look forward to working with Rockpool on future transactions.”

 

Darran Green, Partner at Rockpool Investments, said: “Online sales of garden products account for approx. £650m of overall UK garden retail sales (13% share) and are expected to increase to £840m by 2020. Primrose is in a prime position to take advantage of this with a dedicated and growing customer base, solid partner and supplier relationships, and a market-leading product range. Mark has a strong track record of profitable business growth, strategic planning, and operational change management in SME and blue-chip US multinational organisations. He is the perfect candidate to lead this business into the next stage of its growth and we’re excited to help Primrose on its journey.”

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