Mark Pearson leaves his role at gardening supplies firm, as financial restructuring is completed.
Over the past four years, Mr Pearson has navigated the Gardman Group through an extremely challenging economic cycle, which culminated in the financial restructuring, completed in December.

His decision to leave follows discussions with chairman Jonathan Halford about his future and that of the company.

Mr Pearson said of his departure: "I have truly enjoyed my time here at Gardman. It has been a challenging four years, as for so many businesses in our industry, but it has also been a great four years with my team at Gardman, supported by some excellent suppliers and working with some exceptional retail partners. As I said in December, I am delighted with the financial restructuring we completed last year; the business continues to generate good profits and cash and I know that as the Group moves into the next phase of its business development it will do so with a greatly reduced debt structure leaving it very secure for the future."

He added: "As I now take this opportunity to move on with my own plans, I am confident that the Gardman Board will build a strong new leadership team under a new ceo to take the company forward, and I will, of course, stay close to support them over coming months as they make that transition."

With the search for a new ceo already underway, chairman Jonathan Halford said: "I want to give Mark my huge thanks for the considerable contribution that he has made to our business over the last four years, and value greatly the support he will continue to give us as we bring in the new ceo and embark on the next stage of our plans. I join with the other directors and staff at the Gardman offices around the world to wish him every success for the future."