Wyevale Garden Centres has parted company with its chief executive, Barry Stevenson and installed chairman, Jim Hodkinson, in his place.
In a surprise move, Stevenson has left the company after being appointed by Mr Hodkinson following Wyevale's takeover by Scottish entrepreneur, Sir Tom Hunter.

Mr Stevenson was among a number of Mr Hodkinson's former B&Q colleagues who arrived at the garden centre chain following the acquisition.

Mr Stevenson said: "It has been very gratifying to lead Wyevale through the key period of establishing our market vision into the business and, helped by our aggressive acquisition programme, firmly establishing it as the UK's foremost and fastest growing garden retailer."

Mr Hodkinson said: "I would like to thank Barry for his contribution and strong commitment to the business over the last two years and wish him well in his new ventures.

"Wyevale will now enter the next stage of its development, leveraging its wider geographical and product coverage and further extending our market leadership within the UK garden centre industry."