The Managing Director of Alba Trees plc, the UK’s largest producer of cell-grown plants, has announced his decision to step down.
Rodney Shearer, who has been with Alba for over 31 years, will step down following the company’s AGM on 2nd March 2020.
Alba has grown significantly under Rodney’s leadership, its impressive growth now sees Alba occupy 13 hectares of land across two sites in East Lothian, producing over 16 million trees in the last financial year, which is the largest annual production to date, and now employing over 60 people.
Rodney Shearer said: “Alba has been a huge part of my life, my decision to leave the business has been incredibly hard, but now is the right time to step down. The business is in great shape to move forward with a staff and leadership team that is the best in the sector. My best wishes go to everyone at Alba and I look forward to watching it go from strength to strength.”
Jon Alexander, chairman of Alba said: “Rodney has been one of the driving forces in making Alba the largest producer of cell-grown plants in the UK. It would not exist without the huge commitment he has shown to the business over the last 31 years.
“Rodney took a green field site and developed it into the nursery that it is today – seeing significant expansion over the 31 year period including many vital improvements that have positioned Alba where it is today.
“Craig Turner, Chief Operations Officer, will continue to lead the business. Craig joined the organisation in 2019 and has become a vital part of Alba’s continuing growth. Together with Craig and the wider Alba team, we look forward to continuing Rodney’s legacy and fulfilling the ambitious plans in place for the future of the company.”
