Midlands-based Solus Garden & Leisure, one of the UK's biggest suppliers and distributors of own- and third-party gardening and lifestyle brands to garden centres and retailers, has appointed a sales director in support of its strategic business growth plans.

May Philpott joins Solus later this year and will head up a revitalised sales team.  Previously sales director at Churchill China, her experience in multi-channel retailing and managing UK and international sales teams will prove invaluable to Solus, which is looking to further strengthen its close relationships with UK garden centres.

"May has high-level expertise in retail sales and we are delighted she has agreed to join us," said Solus managing director Nick Davies. "This is a very significant new appointment for us, alongside other recent additions to the sales team from inside and outside the industry. 

"May's appointment further strengthens our commitment to reacting faster to customer and market demands," added commercial director Ross Yealland. "She will be key to developing the sales of our own and third party brands."

"This is a great opportunity to head up a sales team within a company that offers a diverse product portfolio and is recognised as a market leader," said May. "The retail sector is going through an unprecedented time of change. Balancing this with traditional ways of retailing will be a challenge all round, which I look forward to embracing.

"I'm looking forward immensely to joining the Solus team, working with the garden centres and learning from the industry."