Tom Shelston is to join the Royal Horticultural Society next month as director of members and marketing. He will be respopnsible for marketing RHS Gardens and shows, including the Chelsea Flower Show.

For the last three years he has been members and donors director for the National Trust. Previous roles incluided head of marketing at Everton Football Club and a range of marketing roles at McDonald’s Restaurants.

RHS director general Sue Biggs said he would play an integral part in leading the RHS and ensuring it delivered its plans to enrich people’s lives through growing plants and horticulture.

The society recently committed to a ten-year investment of £100 million in the future of horticulture, including finding a fifth RHS garden, creating the first RHS urban garden and increasing horticultural spectacle in its current gardens.

The RHS marketing division is responsible for delivering more than 2 million visitors to RHS shows and gardens, managing and growing the society’s 426,000 membership and securing and managing corporate partnerships.