NIGEL COULTAS has been appointed director of amenity sales for Johnsons of Whixley.

The £10 million turnover firm, which was finalist in the Environmental Business of the Year category in last year's Evening Press Business Awards, grows millions of trees and shrubs on 400 acres in North Yorkshire and another 300 acres throughout Europe.

Mr Coultas who has been a passionate gardener since the age of six, joins Johnsons after a sales management career in the paper and board industry.

Andrew Richardson, joint managing director at Johnsons, said: "We wanted to appoint someone who had an interest and sympathy with planting and landscape issues, but who could also bring new perspectives to our business. Nigel fits that bill perfectly."

Updated: 11:30 Friday, June 03, 2005