Dobbies insists Marshall is still their chief executive
What is happening at Dobbies? Nicholas Marshall is no longer running operations, yet the company insists he is still chief executive. There is a new COO, a new head of purchasing and a new retail director. Gardenforum investigates.
Dobbies - what we know
In early January, in response to rumours that chief executive Nicholas Marshall had left Dobbies, the company published details of a head office reshuffle.
COO Lorrie Robertson and purchasing director, Andrew West, left the business. Their positions were filled by Graeme Jenkins becoming chief operating officer as well as chief finance officer and Marcus Eyles, head of online horticulture, becoming head of purchasing.
It also emerged that one of the 5 regional directors, Nick Anderson, had become retail director, taking charge of his 4 remaining colleagues who had previously reported to Marshall. (They had never reported to the COO.)
Anderson’s position was confirmed yesterday by Dobbies. At the same time the group’s spokesperson insisted that Marshall remains chief executive.
Nicholas Marshall
Gardenforum understands Nicholas Marshall has not been seen at Dobbies HQ for almost a month.
Staff have been told that operations are being run by Graeme Jenkins and Nick Anderson, while Marshall remains chief executive, working with the board at a strategic level.
Chairman Andrew Bracey has not been available for comment, nor has Marshall.
What next for Dobbies
Dobbies starts its new financial year in March. Whether Marshall remains with Dobbies or not, it seems unlikely that he will have an operational role, the group will want to complete its new management structure by then.
Twice, unsuccessfully, the new owners have tried to parachute in a new chief executive, with the upheaval that brings.
2017 Christmas trade was believed to be below expectations. The attempt to extend the group’s offer upmarket from its Tesco customer base wasn’t as successful as hoped.
Recently, Bracey has shown his willingness to promote from within. To avoid further disruption a possible solution could be that Graeme Jenkins will become chief executive and that the company strengthens its team further by recruiting management with destination garden centre experience from within the sector.