Meet our new Purchaser

Martin Chaplin has joined us as our Purchaser (July 2023).

In his new role, he will be supporting, driving and assessing purchasing processes, and bridging communication and support across departments.

Exhilarating

The 47-year-old, who comes from Croston in Lancashire, explains: “Joining Wyevale Nurseries is very exciting; its history, reputation and brand values place the company very highly in the industry. It feels like a sleeping giant and it’s exhilarating to be welcomed in and be part of its future ambitions.”

Martin has held purchasing roles in horticulture for many years and joins us with a wealth of knowledge of growers and suppliers across Europe.

Strengthen our team

Our Commercial Sales Director, Ian Wright says: “We’re delighted to welcome Martin to Wyevale Nurseries. He will strengthen our team tremendously and help us to achieve our company vision of being a recognised leader in the horticultural industry.

“Purchasing is a vital component of supply into the landscape sector. Martin will be a huge asset during what is a challenging period in our development. There’s plenty to contend with such as market consolidation, import legislation and restrictions, as well as our need to go completely peat free in the future and to continue with and reinforce our already exemplary biosecurity initiatives.”

Horticultural industry

Martin has previously worked as a Garden & DIY QVC Buyer and as an Ideal Shopping Direct Senior Buyer in its Leisure Department. He also volunteered for the Good Sam Project through Covid and created a Men’s Shed Mental Health Project in Croston.

He is no stranger to the horticultural industry having started his working life, aged 14, collecting trolleys at weekends at Auldene Nurseries. He was then supported through his training and Business & European Studies course by the garden centre too.

Volunteers

In his spare time, Martin likes walking his dog Kimmer, who is a Cavchon (Cavalier Bishon) and also assists and volunteers for many community charities in his village.

He adds: “I’m a board member for an umbrella charity for our village, Croston Together, and a volunteer and committee member for Croston in Bloom. Our village was actually featured in the BBC Two TV series about Britain in Bloom, which was very exciting.