Alyson Haywood has left her role as Wyevale Garden Centres horticultural quality manager to start her own consultancy business. Leaving a company that owns 148 stores, she now wants to "help horticultural businesses thrive against the onslaught of fierce competition."

Haywood, who took up her horticultural quality manager role at Wyevale GC in November, has 25 years of knowledge and experience in the industry.

Her previous roles have included managing director of Moreton Park Garden Centre (now owned by Wyevale), regional operations manager and head of nurseries for the company.

Alyson told GTN Xtra at the GCA Conference that effective management training and cost control are areas of particular interest.  "I have a proven track record over a number of businesses and different garden centres where I've been able to deliver real business turnaround and greatly improved profit performance, so I now look forward to helping other businesses."

www.alysonhaywood.co.uk