RHS president to step down

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) president Giles Coode-Adams has announced his intention to retire next year.

Citing the fact that he is 70 and now wishes to spend more time with his wife enjoying their own garden and greenhouse, the former financial expert will step down after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 1st.

The RHS has asked Elizabeth Banks to put herself forward for the presidential election, which will take place at the AGM.

Mr Coode-Adams has an OBE and was managing director of Lehman Brothers investment bank until 1999, when he retired from the financial sector.

He used his expertise as treasurer for the RHS from 2006 until 2008, when he was asked to stand in as president following the death of former head of the organisation Peter Buckley.

Earlier this year, Mr Coode-Adams was officially elected as president, but he explained that now is a good time to step down.

"I had not expected to become president of this remarkable charity and it has been a very rewarding role, working with wonderful people who do an amazing job to help millions of people benefit from the very best in horticulture," he said.

The news comes in the same week that the RHS revealed it has found financial backing for its famous Chelsea Flower Show for the next three years.