The Blue Diamond Group has appointed its current retail director, Alan Roper, to replace managing director, Mike Vaudin, who will retire next summer.
Mr Roper joined the company in 1999 and was appointed a director in 2002. During this period the group has expanded its garden centre operations to eight sites - five in England, two in Guernsey and one at St Peter's, Jersey - and has become a significant force in the industry.

The group's UK sites are Trentham, Wilton House. in Salisbury, Brambridge Park, Evesham, and Spalding.

Under Mr Roper's leadership the group will continue its successful expansion by further acquisition and the redevelopment of some existing sites, particularly Le Friquet Plant Centre, in Guernsey.

Exciting redevelopment plans were submitted to the island's planning authorities earlier this year.

Mr Roper and his wife, Danka, live in Guernsey and have two young children. Before joining group, Mr Roper operated his own garden centre in the Cotswolds.

Mr Vaudin joined Blue Diamond nearly 45 years ago and will remain on the board as a non-executive director.

The company remains in private ownership, having been founded in 1904 as a co-operative for Guernsey growers under its original name of Fruit Export.