The acquisition by The Garden Centre Group of the Garden & Leisure group of seven centres today triggered the resignation of Carol Paris as a G&L director.

Mrs Paris will now focus full-time on her duties at the HTA, who today announced they had appointed her as full-time permanent chief executive. The role was formerly one of director general but was reviewed last year in the light of the HTA’s changing requirements.

At Glee today, Mrs Paris said she had thoroughly enjoyed her 16 years at Garden & Leisure. “The change of ownership represents a great opportunity for all the staff there,” she said.

Welcoming the appointment, HTA president Caroline Owen said she was delighted that the association would now have Carol Paris as a full-time leader.