In celebration of International Women’s Day (8 March), Notcutts Garden Centres are highlighting the untold story of pioneering female leader Maud Notcutt, and how Maud continues to inspire female leadership at Notcutts today, 125 years on.
In 1901, Maud Hetty Notcutt married Roger Crompton Notcutt and, together with their son, they led Notcutts’ growth as a family-run horticultural nursery in Woodbridge, Suffolk. When both her husband and son tragically died in 1938, Maud took the courageous decision to take over management of the business, alongside a dedicated team, who steered Notcutts through the difficult wartime period.
Under Maud’s direction, Notcutts became a limited company in 1946 with Maud appointed as Chairman. This was an unusual and pioneering position for a woman of this time, and it is Maud’s inspiring ambition that remains at the core of Notcutts’ culture today.
66 per cent of Notcutts’ Non-Executive Board Directors and 54 per cent of Notcutts’ managers are female, with Bridget McIntyre as Chairman, and Maud’s Great Granddaughter Caroline Notcutt Vice Chairman since 2015.
Speaking of her Great Grandmother Maud, Caroline Notcutt said: “As a family business, Maud’s story is deeply personal to us; her courage in stepping forward to lead Notcutts during a time of profound personal loss ensured the business remained strong for future generations. Maud’s resilience, care and passion are values that continue to guide how we support our people, customers and communities today. We are incredibly proud that her legacy lives on in the talented women helping to shape Notcutts’ future.”
Notcutts is proud that many of their female leaders today are home-grown talent supported by leadership development including Trading Director Yvonne Archibald, Marketing & Customer Experience Director Jane Gray, Northern Cluster Manager Kath Mitchell and Woodbridge Garden Centre Manager Stacey East.
Sarah Dempsey, HR Director at Notcutts, said: “Maud’s remarkable story demonstrates true resilience, ambition and courage at a time when women were rarely seen in senior leadership roles. We are proud to share Maud’s historic and inspiring legacy, demonstrating what is possible when talented women are given the opportunity to flourish.
“At Notcutts we are committed to nurturing long-term careers and creating an environment where our colleagues can develop and progress. We are proud of our training and development, which supports the ambitions of talented individuals and future leaders across all areas of the business.”
Notcutts is a family-owned garden centre group with 19 garden centres nationwide. Established in Woodbridge in 1897, Notcutts is renowned for its horticultural expertise and recently achieved gold accreditation in the Best Employers Eastern Region awards 2026. For more information about career opportunities at Notcutts, visit www.notcutts.co.uk/careers.
