RHS appoints new director-general

The UKs premier garden and greenhouse authority has appointed a new director-general.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) chose former Kuoni managing director Sue Biggs as the person to replace acting director-general Gordon Seabright, who has been in charge since September.

A longstanding member of the organisation, Ms Biggs said that she is excited to be taking up the role and that she looks forward to building on the success it has already achieved.

President-elect and chair of the appointment committee Elizabeth Banks noted that there had been a high calibre of candidates and that she was sure that the new director-general would excel in her position.

"[Ms Biggs] brings a wealth of business experience combined with a real love of plants and gardening, and the vision to help us realise the full potential of this marvellous organisation," added president Giles Coode-Adams.

The new director-general has 30 years of experience in the leisure industry, having founded Budget Holidays and worked as Thomas Cook managing director of scheduled business.

In other news, the RHS recently noted that bee populations have begun to recover after experts feared for their future following a recent decline.