Bob Hewitt is to retire as chief executive of the Klondyke Group at the end of next year to take up the position of executive chairman.

David Yardley, currently group operations director, will take over as CEO on 1 January 2017. Dorothy Gault, widow of Klondyke’s founder and the current chairman, will become group president.

Bob Hewitt said: “We have been planning succession for some time. David has significant knowledge of both the Klondyke business and the garden centre industry and I am confident that under his leadership and my chairmanship we can continue to drive the business forward.”

Dorothy Gault added: ‘’Bob has made a significant contribution as chief executive and the Klondyke business has made great progress under his leadership. I have every confidence that the core strategy will continue to be successful under the future leadership of David and the chairmanship of Bob.”

Klondyke has an on-going strategy of redevelopment and refurbishment. Following the redevelopment of Mayfield Garden Centre, Kelso in the autumn of 2014, a revamp at Stokesley Garden Centre is underway. Following the closure of Savilles in Garforth, Leeds in July 2014, a new build is scheduled to start in late autumn 2015.

Redevelopments are planned at Edinburgh, Northwich and Polmont (where the head office facility will also be upgraded).

Bob Hewitt said the previous the redevelopments at Northallerton, Astbury Meadow, High Legh, Wilmslow and Kelso had been hugely successful in terms of sales, profit growth and return on capital investment. “The five-year redevelopment plan will ensure that sales and profit continue to grow,” he added.

Klondyke Group operates 24 garden centres, with annual sales of £48m. and EBITDA of £6.5m.