Gardman CEO Stewart Hainsworth is to step down from the business, the sundries and wild bird care products company announced this morning.

Hainsworth, who joined the business in 2013, is to pursue an international opportunity within the drinks sector, where he spent most of his earlier career.

Jonathan Halford, Gardman’s executive chairman since 2012, takes immediate day-to-day control of the business “to transition to a new CEO in due course”.

The senior management team will remain in place, tasked with continuing the development of the company’s competitive trading strategy.

In a statement, Halford said: "The senior management team have worked tirelessly over the last 18 months and made significant contributions to the growth of our business, proven by our Jan-Feb sales which confirm a 21% increase on 2014.

“Leading this approach, Stewart enabled us to create a more dynamic and flexible business and successfully introduced new initiatives to bring us closer to our customers. I’d like to thank him for his efforts during a key period for Gardman and to wish him success in his future career.

“I am dedicated to taking the company through the next steps in its strategy, focusing on trading our core categories harder for the benefit of our customers and their consumers.” 

Halford continued: “The developments recently undertaken have provided Gardman with an even stronger retail foothold. I fully endorse our strategy to build a consumer-focussed business, using brands and innovative products to drive growth.

“We have a very clear vision for the future, with a strong and committed management team and supportive Investors which will allow us to invest further in growth both here in the UK and internationally.”