Bradford garden centre group appoints new finance director

by | May 15, 2025 | News | 0 comments

Yorkshire garden centres group appoints new finance director

A  Bradford garden centre group has recruited a new board member as it prepares for future growth across its multi-site business. Yorkshire Garden Centres group has appointed Emma Bristow as its full-time finance director.

In her new role, Mrs Bristow will lead the finance team to support the continued growth of the business.  An early priority is to accelerate the use of technology within the finance function to improve the efficiency of all the finance processes. 

Mrs Bristow joins the Yorkshire Garden Centres team from the leisure industry where she has spent the last 12 years working with high growth SMEs. She is looking forward to the opportunities her new role presents: “I’m excited to join a local business in a great sector with so much potential for growth and development. It was important to me to find a role within a company that showed a real passion for its people, with strong values that aligned with my own.”

“We are delighted to welcome Emma with the creation of this full time finance director role in our business. Emma will work alongside Charlie Barker, who retains overall financial control across the wider group of companies. Our business has grown quickly over the last three years, and we need to ensure that our systems and processes are truly fit for purpose and fit for the future. Emma has a wealth of experience and a great track record in managing these challenges. We are really looking forward to working with her.” said Yorkshire Garden Centres’ MD, Mark Farnsworth.

Outside work, Mrs Bristow enjoys spending time with friends and family, fitness, travelling and eating out.

The Yorkshire Garden Centres group comprises Tong, Tingley, Otley and Bingley Garden Centres, plus Dean’s York and Scarborough and the recently acquired Pennine Garden Centre in Huddersfield.

more latest news ➡

Steve Morgan

GCR PROFILES STEVE MORGAN, CHAIR OF ZEST OUTDOOR LIVING

A popular and well-known figure in the garden industry, Steve Morgan is the sort of person you would want to be on your side. In many ways he built Zest and the wider P & A Group of which he is also Chair, to the same model. It’s a family business, where the...

autumn

Moving From Summer to Autumn Without Confusing Customers

Seasonal transitions are among the most delicate moments in retail. For garden centres, where atmosphere and emotion drive purchasing decisions, the shift from summer to autumn must feel natural, not abrupt. Customers should sense continuity, not contradiction....

Engineering before technology

Engineering Before Technology

Commercial organisations across the UK are navigating a rapidly changing energy landscape. Energy systems are evolving, regulation is tightening, costs remain challenging,and expectations around sustainability and resilience continue to increase. In this...

Christmas

Why August Matters More Than October for Christmas

For decades, October was considered the unofficial start of Christmas retail, the moment when festive displays appeared, stock arrived, and customers began to think ahead. But in today’s supply‑chain reality, October is no longer early; it’s reactive. The smartest...

spirits

Craft Spirits, Gifting, and Seasonal Tasting Events

Craft spirits have evolved from niche indulgence to mainstream fascination, and garden‑centre retail is increasingly embracing this shift. With customers seeking authenticity, provenance, and experience, craft spirits offer a natural extension of the lifestyle and...

deli and bakery in garden centres

Bakery & Deli Freshness, Display, and the Power of Smell

Few retail experiences are as instantly evocative as walking into a garden‑centre bakery or deli. The scent of freshly baked bread, the sight of golden pastries, and the hum of conversation around the café create an atmosphere that feels both indulgent and...

footwear

The footwear conundrum: A Year‑Round Opportunity

Footwear has quietly become one of the most consistent performers in garden‑centre retail. Once seen as a functional add‑on, it now represents a category that bridges lifestyle, leisure, and practicality, appealing to customers across seasons and demographics. From...









Subscribe ToThe Wednesday Word

Subscribe To
The Wednesday Word

 

Get all the latest news, events & more straight to your inbox every Wednesday.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This