Akehurst Landscape Service’s board of directors appointed John Akehurst to president of the Joppa, Md.-based full-service horticulture business.

John Akehurst succeeds his brother, the late Brian Akehurst, who held the position for nine years and died unexpectedly last month. The company, founded in 1876, is in its fifth generation of family ownership.

“While I grieve the loss of my brother Brian, who lead the company to what it is today, I am confident under my leadership I will follow in Brian’s footsteps and take the company to the next level,” John Akehurst said.

John Akehurst has been involved with the business for more than 22 years as vice president of the firm’s interiorscape department. He started the division in 1992 and has won numerous awards for his designs and projects in the greater Baltimore region. In 2006 he won the Carville M. Akehurst award presented by the Maryland Nursery & Landscape Association for dedication and leadership to the association. The same year he was presented with the David E. Laird Sr. Memorial award by the Southern Nursery Association in Atlanta for outstanding service to environmental horticulture. In 2010, John Akehurst served as the president of the Maryland Nursery & Landscape Association.

“I’ve been a consultant and friend to the Akehursts for more than 10 years, and can assure everyone that John is a capable leader,” said Ed Laflamme, LIC, with The Harvest Group. “I’m confident there will be a smooth transition from his brother Brian, know that the company is in excellent hands.”