A VALE of Evesham garden plant firm has turned over a new leaf with a management buyout.

New Leaf Plants, which is currently based at Amberley Farm in Cheltenham Road, Evesham, has been bought by its sales and marketing director David Higginson with backing from NatWest.

Established in 1985 by Peter Hoddinot, the clematis and climbing plants grower operates primarily UK wide, supplying to garden centres, and also exports to Europe and Ireland. It employs 52 staff. Mr Higginson will now take on the role of managing director and the deal provides an exit for Mr Hoddinot, who enters phased retirement.

Additional bank funding will also see New Leaf Plants relocate to a new site by summer 2016. Allowing room for expansion and modernisation, the purchase of the 20-acre Hillview Nurseries on nearby Sandfield Lane, Evesham, is expected to boost turnover to £4m and increase capacity to export.

Mr Higginson said: "Having been with the business for 20 years, I’m delighted to now be taking the reins of New Leaf Plants, with the support of Peter and a talented management team. Once our move to Hillview is complete, I plan on developing our offering overseas and becoming a worldwide brand, with both America and Japan being huge untapped markets.”

Tony Airey, director of structured finance for NatWest, worked alongside the bank’s relationship director Jeremy O’Grady and business development director Andy Wyeth.

Mr Airey added: "We are proud to have been able to provide David with the support he needed to take over what is already a well-respected and hugely successful business. Working with David and the management team, we look forward to supporting their future plans for growth.”