Farplants appoints Steve James to lead commercial growth
Farplants Sales Ltd has announced the appointment of Steve James as Head of Commercial, marking a significant step in the continued evolution of one of the UK’s leading wholesale nursery cooperatives. The move reflects Farplants’ ambition to strengthen its commercial focus during a period of sustained demand for British-grown plants.
Steve joins the business from Blue Diamond Garden Centres, where he most recently held the role of Head of Plants. Prior to that, he was a senior buyer at Dobbies, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the commercial realities faced by garden centre retailers and suppliers alike.
In his new position, Steve will be responsible for shaping Farplants’ commercial strategy, building closer retail partnerships and ensuring the cooperative continues to deliver a consistent, high-quality plant offer to customers across the UK. His retailer-led perspective is expected to play a key role in aligning production with market needs.
David Salisbury, Director of Farplants Sales Ltd, welcomed the appointment, highlighting Steve’s combination of commercial expertise and product knowledge. He noted that Steve’s experience on the retail side of the industry brings valuable insight as Farplants looks to support customers in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Based in West Sussex, Farplants produces more than 10 million plants each year, with a retail value exceeding £50 million. The creation of a Head of Commercial role underlines the group’s commitment to service, collaboration and long-term investment in British horticulture.
Steve James will officially take up his new role on 2 February 2026, based at the Farplants Sales office. With strong relationships already established across the industry, his appointment positions Farplants well to build on its success and drive the next phase of growth.