Vitax has recruited a garden centre retail specialist to bolster its sales team as the company appoints a new area sales manager to cover Avon, Wilts, Hants and Dorset.

Ross Baldock joins from Woodcote Green Garden Centre where he has spent the past 14 years as a senior manager responsible for managing the horticulture and pet care divisions.

Working within and managing a large team, Ross has worked in garden retail for the whole of his career and understands first-hand the challenges the sector faces and the need to diversify products to meet consumer demand.

Ross’s industry knowledge coupled with his garden retail experience was key to his appointment as Vitax’s national sales manager, Mark Butler, explains: “The horticulture industry is changing to meet the on-going demands of traditional and online gardeners and Ross’s appointment will add a new dimension to the team.

“Ross will not only be responsible for growing Vitax’s brands with existing customers, but also sourcing new business across Avon, Wilts, Hants and Dorset.

“A key element of this will be utilising the knowledge and skills Ross has learned throughout his time in garden retail, which will prove essential to the sales team as we look at how we further support garden centres with their marketing needs.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ross to the team and we know he will be integral to our future growth plans.”

Ross joined Woodcote Green Garden Centre in 2006 straight out of college and has worked across multiple gardening divisions, building relationships with both suppliers and fellow garden retail managers.

“Working at Woodcote has been fantastic, but joining Vitax will bring new challenges and enable me to utilise the skills I already have whilst learning new ones along the way. It is an exciting time to join Vitax as the new season is about to get underway,” says Ross Baldock, Vitax’s new area sales manager.

Pictured (left to right): Ross Baldock with Vitax’s national sales manager – Mark Butler.