New deputy director-general for greenhouse and garden charity

17:27 11th September 2009

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has moved to appoint a deputy director-general after learning a prominent member of its management intends to step down.

Gordon Seabright will take up the newly-created role with immediate effect and explained he is looking forward to helping develop the body's future.

He will assist outgoing director-general Inga Grimsey, who announced she planned to relinquish the reins earlier this week.

She will continue in her role until the end of the year, being assisted by her new deputy in restructuring the management of the charity.

"Gordon is a valued colleague whom I have worked with since I joined the RHS," she explained. "I look forward to working more closely with him in implementing the RHS' change programme."

Mr Seabright is currently commercial director at the society, as well as group managing director of RHS Enterprises - the charity's trading arm.

The body has been in existence for over two centuries, originally founded under the name of the Horticultural Society of London.