The company – the UK’s biggest garden products wholesaler but also a significant supplier of goods under its own exclusive brands – has been re-building its sales and support teams since the arrival during the year of Ross Yealland, the founder’s son, as commercial director. Its new sales director, May Philpott (pictured below), starts next week.

Nick Davies this week became the latest addition to the resignations list. He is to leave in January to start up a new business but has so far not responded to GTN Xtra’s invitation to say more about his plans. Insiders say they expect an announcement imminently.

Solus’s new chief executive officer. Mark Pearson, ex-CEO of Gardman and a respected figure in the garden retail trade, has already joined the company. He faces two major challenges in the weeks and months ahead – how to protect and develop the Scotts Miracle-Gro business, it’s biggest distribution account, and how to counter The Garden Centre Group’s move towards its own central distribution. Then there is the question of how to keep its base of small independent retailers happy in the face of growing competition from other wholesalers and brands, including Pearson's previous employer.

TGCG distribution trials – targeting efficiences as well as cost savings – get under way in one region next week, with a full-roll-out planned in the New Year.

Consolidation of garden centre outlets over the past few years has meant fresh challenges for Solus, and led to more diversification into its own product development to reduce the company’s vulnerability to fluctuations on the wholesale front.

Ross Yealland said this week that Pearson was joining at a time when Solus were making a number of strategic investments to drive the business of its customers, branded distribution partners and Solus own brands.

Simon Yealland said Davies has made a significant contribution to Solus in his 29 years with the company. “He leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future,” he added.

Leading retailers contacted by GTN Xtra were quick to praise Davies. “I’ve known him since he started and we’ve always done good business with him,” he said. Another said: “Nick has always been great to work with but I guess, like all businesses, it was time for a change, not only for Solus but for him too. I'm sure Solus will be hoping it all settles down for a while.”