Squire’s Garden Centres announced the appointment of Sarah Squire as chairman last week.

Sarah’s father, Colin Squire OBE, who has been chairman for 30 years during five decades in the business, takes on the role of chairman emeritus, and remains an active director, with particular focus on developments at each of Squire’s centres and the company’s involvement with local communities.

Sarah said: “It is a great privilege to take on the role of chairman of our family company. I have learned so much from my father and from the many people I have worked with over the years within our business, our industry and beyond. I am inspired daily by the dedicated team I work with and together we share a passion for our horticultural business and our industry. We are also incredibly fortunate to have such great support from our local communities. I am confident that, although there will undoubtedly be challenges along the way, we can look forward with optimism as Squire’s enters a new chapter.”

Sarah will focus on further developing this successful, independent family business, which has 15 garden centres in the south-east.

Sarah qualified as a solicitor, specialising in commercial property, before joining the family horticultural business 23 years ago. She has extensive retail experience, having worked in various roles across the company, from a Saturday girl while still at school to her most recent role as deputy chairman.

Sarah has two grown-up children and in her spare time enjoys gardening with her husband. Sarah’s grandfather, D.J. Squire, founded the family business 82 years ago.