How the Yorkshire Garden Centre Group Appoints New Buying Director to Strengthen Its Retail Strategy

Ever noticed how when something gets really popular, it has to grow and change to keep up? Think about a small band that suddenly gets a number one hit; they need a bigger team, a tour manager, and roadies to handle the massive concerts. It's a sign of success. Something similar is happening over at the much-loved Yorkshire Garden Centres group. The Bradford-based company, which has been getting bigger and better, just announced a big move by adding a new expert to its senior team to get ready for even more future growth. They’ve appointed a new full-time buying director, a move that signals exciting things are on the horizon for anyone who loves popping in for plants, a coffee, or some lovely home bits.

A new expert joins the team

The new person taking on this important job is Charlotte Watson. So, what exactly is a buying director? Imagine having the brilliant job of being the head shopper for seven massive garden centres. That's pretty much it. The buying director is the person who decides what amazing products will fill the shelves. From the prettiest plants and sturdiest spades to the comfiest garden furniture and trendiest kitchen gadgets, Charlotte will be leading the buying team to pick the best of the best. This is a huge role, and she’s certainly got the experience for it. Before joining the Yorkshire Garden Centres family, she held senior buying roles at massive retail names like ASDA and Wilko. That kind of background means she has a fantastic eye for what people want and how to find great quality items. Her experience is set to be a game-changer for the group's retail offering.

Her new role isn't just about picking products, though. Charlotte Watson will also be shaping the company's whole sourcing strategy – that’s the clever plan for where to get everything from. She’ll also be helping to develop the skills within the buying team and supporting the company's long-term commercial growth. She’s already buzzing with ideas, saying, “I’m excited about working with the team to improve processes and procedures and working with our supplier base to bring new and exciting products to the Yorkshire Garden Centres’ customers.” And she’s a hands-on home enthusiast herself, adding, “I've recently renovated a house, so I can't wait to spruce up the outside space with lots of lovely Yorkshire Garden Centres’ products this summer.”

A strategic shuffle for the directors

This isn't just about one new person; it's a smart reorganisation of the whole leadership team. For the last ten years, the brilliant Sharon McNair has been juggling two massive jobs: leading the buying team and the retail team. As the group has grown, with more garden centres and more customers, it became clear that this was too much for one person to handle. So, with Charlotte Watson taking over the buying director role, Sharon can now fully focus on a new position as retail director. This is fantastic news for the customer experience. Sharon’s new role means she’ll be working closely with the managers at each of the seven garden centres to make sure the stores are running perfectly and are wonderful places to visit. This ensures there's continuity, as her vast experience isn't lost, just refocused. The two directors will work together to make sure everything runs smoothly, from the warehouse to the shop floor.

The Managing Director of Yorkshire Garden Centres, Mark Farnsworth, explained the thinking behind the change.

This newly created role reflects our continued focus on strengthening our buying capability and range proposition across the Group. We'd like to thank Sharon McNair, who has led the buying team alongside our retail team for the last 10 years. Sharon has been instrumental in our growth, but it became clear as the business grew that the role needed to be split, and I'm delighted Sharon has chosen to focus on our stores and will work closely with our managers to keep improving our offer.

What this means for your local garden centre

So, what does all this corporate chat mean for you when you visit your local branch, whether it's in Bingley or Dean’s York? It means good things are coming. With Charlotte’s extensive buying experience, especially across Home, Kitchen, and Lifestyle categories, customers can expect to see an even more exciting range of products. Mark Farnsworth praised her background, noting she has a “strong track record in developing profitable product strategies, driving supplier partnerships, and leading high-performing teams.” This expertise will be vital as the business continues to grow and develop. He added, "Charlotte’s knowledge and experience will also be vital as we keep developing our business and our team. I'm really looking forward to working with her". This focus on skilled buying means a better, more varied choice for everyone.

The Yorkshire Garden Centres group is a big deal in the region, and its success is built on giving customers a great experience. This move is designed to build on that success. The group includes the following fantastic locations:

• Tong Garden Centre

• Tingley Garden Centre

• Otley Garden Centre

• Bingley Garden Centre

• Dean’s York

• Dean’s Scarborough

• Pennine Garden Centre in Huddersfield

With a dedicated buying director in Charlotte Watson and a focused retail director in Sharon McNair, the team is stronger than ever. It’s all part of a plan to keep improving, growing, and making these beloved Yorkshire garden centres the best they can possibly be for years to come. The future looks bright, and probably very well-gardened!