Garden industry supplier Bord Na Móna has announced that Mark Higgins has recently taken over the position as head of horticulture.
Mark (pictured) joins Bord Na Móna Horticulture with a strong strategic commercial and operational background which he has gained within the FMCG sector, with considerable experience in growing market share in very competitive environments. He has spent much of his career to date in Ireland and the UK and has extensive experience in delivering business performance targets.
Mark joining Bord Na Móna Horticulture is well timed for the organisation’s horticulture business, which is the leading Irish supplier of growing media and barks in Ireland and the UK and has an expanding footprint in the international market. It is the fastest growing player in the garden centre trade in the UK and holds a significant market share in both the private label and professional sectors, the company says.
Its Bord Na Mona Growise branded range for home gardeners was launched in 2010 and has won a number of awards since, including the Which? Best Buy compost award for seven years – Mark adds that this brand presents a substantial growth opportunity.
Mark commented: “The opportunity to grow the horticulture business is considerable. The turnover for Bord Na Móna Horticulture in the UK retail sector has grown by 70% over the last two years and we have ambitious plans to continue to grow strongly. Our brand heritage and quality of our product is exceptional and there is no doubt in my mind that Bord Na Móna Horticulture and our Bord Na Móna Growise brand has substantial growth potential in the UK & Ireland and selected international markets.”
Mark joins Bord Na Móna Horticulture from Hovis Limited where he was general manager for Hovis Ireland and led a turnaround plan to re-establish the business as the leading supplier of both branded and private label bread products to the retail sector in Ireland. In addition to this he has held senior management and leadership roles in a number of leading international organisations including The 2Sisters Food Group, Ornua and Glanbia Plc.
Mark replaced Gerry O’Hagan, who has been appointed to a new role in Bord Na Móna – head of strategic projects.
