SIMON Edwards, Golden Acres Nursery retail division manager, has been appointed to the main board of the expanding south coast horticultural company.

He joined Golden Acres in 1999 and initially headed up the group's retail division with responsibility for three garden centres at Landford, Bournemouth and Yeovil.

The group has a major commercial growing division, imports plants and gardening equipment from around the world, has a wholesaler division to support garden centres and the horticultural industry, owns garden centres in the south and has an exhibition arm which organises and runs a well known trade exhibition every February for the horticulturalists, garden centre owners and staff.

Mr Edwards qualified in horticulture at Wye College and has worked in the industry all his life - both as consultant and within the Ministry of Agriculture.

"This background has given him an extensive in-depth knowledge of the industry, plus his expertise and knowledge of horticulture has made him a valued and respected team member, not only in the retail division, but throughout the whole group," said Paul Richards, chairman of the Golden Acres Nursery group.

"His dedication and hard work has been recognised by the directors and this is why Simon was invited to join the main board."

Away from the pressures of work Simon relaxes by fly-fishing and playing golf.

He said: "In the tough world of business it is nice to work with a group of dedicated people who are not only successful but also care about the staff and their environment."