Notcutts have appointed a new CEO. Nick Burrows joins Notcutts having recently undertaken dual roles as Executive Chairman with First Sports Group Ltd and Thames Club Ltd where he led the transformation and brand repositioning of these two companies. Prior to these roles Nick held director positions with Nuffield Health, Whitbread, Rank and Holmes Place Health Clubs. His early career was spent in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
A statement from Notcutts about their first quarter performance reads:
Notcutts, the UK’s largest family owned garden centre group, is pleased to announce an impressive first quarter to end May 2015. Set against strong comparatives, turnover has increased by £1m or 5 per cent with its two cornerstone departments of plants and furniture both performing strongly.
Strong growth of perennials and shrubs, as people invest more in their gardens has been supported by newly developed ranges, and in this year alone the business has sold over 30 different varieties of Heucheras and sales have tripled through strong visual merchandising including the unique planted shed roof.
Furniture growth sees a move to “All Weather” woven resin weave away from traditional wood and metal, with over two thirds of the range new and exclusive to Notcutts. Online continues its impressive growth with turnover up by 30%.
In addition to the impressive quarterly figures, Nicky Dulieu, Chairman of Notcutts, has announced the appointment of Nick Burrows as the company’s new CEO, and Bryan Laxton as Non Executive Director.
Nick joins Notcutts having recently undertaken dual roles as Executive Chairman with First Sports Group Ltd and Thames Club Ltd where he led the transformation and brand repositioning of these two companies. Prior to these roles Nick held director positions with Nuffield Health, Whitbread, Rank and Holmes Place Health Clubs. His early career was spent in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Nick hails from Suffolk and is delighted to be returning to the area by joining Notcutts. He is an avid supporter of Ipswich Town FC and a Trustee of the Inspire Suffolk charity. Nick has two daughters and currently lives in Essex.
Bryan has recently retired from Cushman & Wakefield, a global firm of real estate advisors, where he was UK CEO until 2013 and more recently Head of EMEA Client Programme. Bryan holds a number of Non Executive positions, including Turn2Us, a charity which fights UK poverty and the Reading Real Estate Foundation. He lives in Suffolk with his wife and two sons.
Nicky Dulieu, Chairman at Notcutts said:
“We have had a good start to the financial year and are at an exciting stage in our growth strategy, from redevelopment and new build to acquisition. It’s therefore great timing that we can now introduce 2 terrific new additions to our team.
Nick brings a wealth of skills and insight into brand development and customers in both leisure and retail sectors as well as in-depth knowledge of hospitality. I am extremely excited for him to join us in September as we plan for next year as well as trade this autumn.
Bryan brings a vast depth of knowledge of strategic property investments, including retail assets having worked on major structured property transactions for both Marks and Spencer and Boots and will be joining the business immediately.
Caroline Notcutt, Vice Chairman at Notcutts added:
“This signifies a major step forward in the professionalisation of the leadership of our great family business.”
