Strikes Garden Centres has announced the appointment of three new directors to its board.  All three appointments are internal promotions, reflecting the deep industry expertise and leadership talent within the organisation.

Andy Smith has been appointed Buying Director, bringing more than three decades of experience in horticulture and garden centre retail. Andy began his career in 1989 at Blakedown Nurseries, later studying at Pershore College of Horticulture. Subsequently, Andy opted to transition from the nursery sector to Garden Centres, where he served as a plant manager at St Peters Garden Centre in Worcestershire. After several years, he made the decision to shift to a horticulture sales position, before joining Wyevale Garden Centres as a horticulture buyer, and later moving to Dobbies. Throughout this time, Andy's understanding of the retail sector expanded significantly. Leveraging this expertise, he joined Strikes Garden Centres in 2015 becoming Head of Buying in 2018.

Anthony Hester joins the board as Catering Director, having a long career in the hospitality industry. Anthony has worked for over thirty years in the bar, hotel and restaurant industry and his career has spanned the hospitality sectors, from value brands to casual/ family restaurants and fine dining enterprises. Earlier in his career he worked for Mitchells and Butler and later Whitbread, driving operations and commercial opportunities, developing new concepts and opening new businesses. In recent years Anthony was Food and Beverage Director for Wyevale, following his tenure as Head of Restaurants for Dobbie’s. Anthony joined Klondyke in 2023.

Lewis Gault, grandson of company founders Bob and Dorothy Gault, has also been appointed to the board. Lewis manages Klondyke Farms, which oversees approximately 3,000 acres and a herd of 1,500 cattle, as well as ongoing woodland development initiatives of native broadleaf and productive softwood.

All three new directors expressed enthusiasm for their new roles and a shared commitment to the future of Strikes Garden Centres.

“The achievements of Strikes are attributed to its dedicated employees, where individuals are valued. The Board of Directors possesses a well-defined vision, and we are privileged to become a part of the board to contribute to this future vision,” said David Yardley, CEO, The Klondyke Group.