Hillier Nurseries & Garden Centres have appointed Chris Francis as Garden Centre Director, heading up the Hillier Garden Centre division of the company. He joined the company on March 12.

Chris brings a wealth of retail and garden centre experience to the role of Hillier Garden Centre Director. Most recently, Chris worked for The Garden Centre Group; before that for Wyevale, Country Gardens, Boots PLC, Storehouse PLC and John Lewis PLC.

This appointment is part of Hillier’s plans to drive the business forward towards growth and increased profitability, and allows Andrew McIndoe, now Hillier Managing Director, more time to focus on other aspects of the Hillier group.

Andy says: "Having known Chris as a customer, I am very much looking forward to working with him. He shares our values of the importance of horticulture at the heart of the business, and brings a fresh focus on retail standards and professionalism."

Chris says: "I am delighted to be joining a company with such a great tradition and heritage in horticulture, with one of the most widely recognized names in the industry. It is a great time to be starting in this challenging role given the opportunities that will inevitably arise during this period of significant change in the UK's garden centre industry."