Andrew (48) started his retail career in Woolworths stores in Cornwall and Devon, before moving to Hampshire in 1999. He managed several outlets during his 28 years for the high-street retail chain until it closed its stores at the end of 2008.
Although his first garden centre appointment, he says he is passionate about plants: “I wouldn’t say I’m a gardener – I’m my wife’s handyman – but I love plants and get very excited about them.”
Andrew said his appointment is geared more to the people side of the business: “I’m building and training a team of colleagues that are passionate about what we do, who want to deliver great products and will interact with our customers to give them a great service.”
His Woolworths background provided great experience in supplying customers’ seasonal requirements, and at each store he has become involved in the local community and chambers of trade.
He said: “I’ve always wanted to work in an expanding garden centre group and jumped at the chance to work with Golden Acres. The closest I got was building a mini garden centre in the back yard of Woolworths in Tavistock a few years ago!”
Andrew lives in Portsmouth and is married with two children.
And his favourite plant? “Clematis – the first plant I bought was a President with dark blue and purple flowers - absolutely breathtaking.”
www.www.golden-acres-nursery.co.uk Picture by Phil Dowding
