Former managing director of Vital Earth GB Ltd and, latterly, business operations manager UK at Bord na Móna UK, Steve Harper is now to head up all of the Bord na Móna UK (BNM UK) retail business.
In his new role, Mr Harper will report to John Corcoran, head of retail sales at Bord na Móna, Ireland.

Commenting on the move Mr Harper said: "I am really looking forward to taking responsibility for all of BNM UK's rapidly increasing branded and own-brand business in the UK and working with a fantastic existing team to accelerate development and growth even further.

"We have two exciting growing media brands in Vital Earth and Growise, together covering off the peat reduction sector, and we will continue developing them into a market-leading combination."

He added that, while the firm plans to continue to increase its profile and position in growing media, it is also looking to expand into other sectors.

Mr Harper will be responsible for all production, sales, marketing, operations and distribution in the UK, building Bord na Móna UK's products, brands and infrastructure. He added: "We are developing new products, new storage facilities and new distribution routes to service existing and prospective accounts... This follows the success of the company's first full year in the UK market for branded composts since taking over the sales and marketing resource of Vital Earth in January 2012."

Commenting on the appointment of Steve Harper as head of UK, John Corcoran said: "This is great news for our UK company and for Bord na Móna Ireland, as Steve's acceptance of the role confirms our absolute commitment to the development of our UK business... Bord Na Móna UK is already enjoying very successful sales in the UK and it has enormous further potential. Steve has been a part of that success for some time now and I am delighted that he is now in the position to take things forward fully."