Tesco drafts in Notcutts boss to lead Dobbies garden centres

Barnes left the Tesco-owned garden centre after 23 years last week along with finance director Sharon Brown. King will become managing director of Dobbies underneath chairman, Tesco new business boss Jill Easterbrook.

King takes up the role at the beginning of September and Dobbies commercial director Katharine Poulter will lead the business on an interim basis.

A Dobbies spokeswoman said: “Andy joins us from Notcutts Garden Centres business where he has been chief executive since 2007. He has over 25 years of UK, international and multichannel retail experience with 12 years at board level. Prior to Notcutts he spent his early career at Boots, WHSmith and Mothercare before joining the Body Shop as global marketing director.

“Andy will help continue to grow Dobbies from our current position; and help us focus on bringing the brand to more customers, working across all channels and with the core Tesco business.”

Dobbies said Max Britten, who is currently working within group financial planning and analysis management at Tesco, is seconded to head up the the garden centre’s finance team as interim financial director, reporting to Katharine Poulter. He has worked for a number of large companies including Unilever, Mars, and Associated British Food before joining Tesco three years ago.