The Garden Centre Group has poached property executive Steve Masters from fashion retailer Gap as its estates director.

Masters, who begins work at the garden centre retailer on Monday, was vice-president international real estate, store development and strategic alliances at Gap.

Prior to that role, Masters worked at Asda as director of retail development and has previously undertaken a number of senior property roles across Thresher Group, Polo Ralph Lauren, The Walt Disney Company and Burton Group.

The Garden Centre Group chief executive Kevin Bradshaw said: “Steve has an excellent track record and will be a great addition to The Garden Centre Group as we continue to expand our estate and invest in our existing centres.

“I believe we start 2014 with a very experienced and capable senior leadership team and I am excited about our ambitious plans for the year ahead.”