George Plumtre EMH is retiring as chief executive of the National Garden Scheme next summer after 15 years in the role.

He calls the period “the great privilege of my working life” but says the National Garden Scheme’s centenary in 2027 is an opportunity for someone new to lead the charity.

“The centenary is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the charity and a new chief executive will maximise this.”

Plumtre will continue in a part-time role managing centenary projects that he has initiated, whilst the search for a new chief executive will begin in the new year.

Over the last 15 years, Plumtre has led the charity to record levels of donations, including this year when it hit £3.5m.

He was also behind the charity commissioning a new report from The King’s Fund, Gardens and Health: Implications for Policy and Practise, which was published in May 2016.

In 2014, he was awarded the Elizabeth Medal of Honour from the Royal Horticultural Society.