UK: Dobbies appoints Andrew Bracey as chairman

Andrew Bracey has been appointed Chairman of Dobbies, the UK’s second largest garden centre retailer, headquartered in Scotland. Andrew is a founding partner of Midlothian Capital Partners which together with Hattington Capital recently acquired Dobbies from Tesco.

Dobbies is the second largest garden retailer in the UK with 34 garden centres across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland – with select product available online for UK wide sales. In June 2016 Tesco confirmed the sale of Dobbies Garden Centres to a group of investors led by Midlothian Capital Partners Limited and Hattington Capital LLP, supported by a number of additional equity investors, including family offices and individual investors, for £218m on a cash and debt-free basis.

Andrew Barcey
Andrew has spent much of his career working in the retail industry, most recently as CFO at Ocado Group plc where he helped the take the company from its early development through to its IPO. As a senior financier he led a number of landmark transactions in the retail sector.

Very enthousiastic CEO and Chairman
John Cleland, CEO of Dobbies, said: “Andrew has many years of experience in retail and has a genuine passion for Dobbies, both of which will be of huge benefit to the business as we create a stronger, market leading company. I look forward to working with him again, to grow the business and deliver a success story.”

Andrew Bracey, Chairman of Dobbies, said:“I have long admired Dobbies. It’s one of the great retail brands in Britain with a strong heritage and really bright prospects. I’m very enthusiastic about the business as well as its potential and therefore I’m delighted to be joining as Chairman, to support John and the team, and to help steer Dobbies to future growth.”

Barney Burgess of Hattington Capital, said: “Andrew has an infectious enthusiasm for Dobbies which combined with his extensive experience of the retail industry makes him the ideal Chairman for the business. I’m very pleased that he’s agreed to take on the role.”

Publication date: Mon 29 Aug 2016