The Garden Centre Group has been rocked by the sudden resignations of two more directors today (Monday) following the departure of CEO Nicholas Marshall two weeks ago.
Antonia Jenkinson, the Chief Financial Officer, and Lorrie Robertson, the Marketing Director, resigned from their positions this morning.
Both are thought to be close allies of Marshall, having worked with him in the past.
Jenkinson (below left) joined The Garden Centre Group in late 2008 as CFO. She started her career at Arthur Anderson on the consulting side, and moved into corporate finance at Apax Partners Corporate Finance in 1993 (later renamed Altium Capital).
Robertson (above right) joined The Garden Centre Group in late 2008. She began working with Nicholas Marshall at Country Gardens plc in 1998, heading up the marketing department.
Speculation in the industry is rife that both Jenkinson and Robertson are set to team up with Marshall, and form their own garden centre business.
The Garden Centre Group refused to comment on the two resignations but it is understood the company is close to appointing a successor to Marshall.
The Garden Centre Group comprises 129 centres across England and Wales operating under brands including Blooms, Country Homes and Gardens, Bridgemere, Heighley Gate, Jack’s Patch, Old Barn, Sanders, Woodlands and Wyevale.
The Group is the UK’s largest garden centre operator with a broad footprint across the Midlands, Southern England and Wales. The majority of its garden centres are held either as freeholds or long leaseholds.
