Former Lombard Trophy winner joins Germinal Sales Team

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Former Lombard Trophy winner joins Germinal Sales Team: Germinal Amenity, the market leader in the development and supply of specialist seed products for the amenity sector, is delighted to announce the appointment of former Lombard Trophy winner and golf pro, Doug Brolls, as Technical Sales Representative for the Northeast of England and Scotland.

Originally hailing from Scotland and born in Lockerbie, Doug has spent a lifetime playing, coaching, competing and managing golf courses and playing surfaces. He now resides in the Northeast and is a lifelong Sunderland FC supporter.

Former Lombard Trophy winner joins Germinal Sales Team

Former Lombard Trophy winner joins Germinal Sales Team

Doug has extensive knowledge of golf and golf courses, not only in the Northeast and Scotland, but right across the whole of the UK and beyond. This awareness has been cultivated during his life as a golf professional and coach, and a multiple times winner on the North, Northeast and Northwest PGA circuits, and winning the prestigious Lombard International Trophy in Portugal in 1998.

Commenting, Richard Brown, Amenity Director of Germinal GB & Ireland, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Doug to Germinal Amenity. He has a deep understanding of players, customer service, competing and the amenity sports surfaces industry. He also has an extensive knowledge of the Northeast of England and Scotland as a territory.

As a former golfing pro and player at a exceptionally high level, he brings a unique perspective of the quality and standards that turf managers and players demand. He will be a huge addition to our team and for our customers across the sports amenity, turf management and landscape communities. Welcome on board, Doug!”

Commenting, Doug Brolls said:

“I’m very excited to join Germinal Amenity as Technical Sales Representative for Scotland and the Northeast of England. I am looking forward to using my knowledge and background in turf management with golf clubs, sports venues and turf professionals to deliver high-performance, sustainable surfaces using Germinal’s industry-leading seed and grass solutions. I am also really looking forward to reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new customers and supporting Germinal’s commitment to innovation, quality and sustainability across the sports and amenity sector.”

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Matt Bartle appointed Group Head of Commercial Strategy

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Matt Bartle appointed Group Head of Commercial Strategy: Replay Group has appointed Matt Bartle as its new Group Head of Commercial Strategy, a newly created role designed to support the business’s continued growth, diversification and long-term strategic direction.

The appointment comes at a significant time for Replay Group, following private equity investment and the evolution of the business into four distinct divisions: Replay Maintenance, Replay Resurfacing, Replay Racquets and Replay Natural Turf.

Matt Bartle appointed Group Head of Commercial Strategy

Matt Bartle appointed Group Head of Commercial Strategy

Matt brings with him more than two decades of experience across sport, infrastructure and facilities development. His career began in 2001 at the Football Foundation, where he was part of the organisation from its inception, before moving to The FA, where he spent around ten years working across a range of national projects

In 2017, Matt founded Tri Sports Consultancy, an infrastructure masterplanning business supporting grassroots sport and organisations with projects ranging from 3G and natural turf pitches to training facilities. Throughout that time, he maintained close links with Replay.

“I’ve always had a strong association with Replay,” said Matt. “When the opportunity came to join the organisation, it was a no-brainer. The trajectory of the business and what the next three to five years could look like made it a really exciting proposition.”

Matt’s new role combines elements of commercial leadership, business development and strategic oversight. While not a traditional sales director role, the commercial team and function sit firmly within his remit.

“One of the key drivers behind becoming Replay Group is being able to talk more about the breadth of what we do,” he explained. “Maintenance is what we’re best known for, but there’s so much more to the organisation.”

That diversification includes the formal separation of Replay Resurfacing, an area the business has been delivering for more than a decade. By bringing resurfacing into its own division, Replay can take a more proactive approach, offering lifecycle planning, financial modelling and long-term solutions to its extensive client base.

“We’re already a trusted maintenance partner to over a thousand organisations nationwide,” said Matt. “Clients were already asking us about resurfacing, so formalising that offer allows us to add even more value, while maintaining that connection with them throughout the lifecycle of their facilities.”

The Replay Racquets division is another key growth area, encompassing tennis, pickleball and padel.

“There’s a huge boom in padel at the moment, but standards are critical,” he said. “We work closely with organisations like SAPCA to ensure everything we do adheres to technical guidance and best practice. We won’t compromise on quality because safety, longevity and trust matter.”

Matt is also excited by the launch of Replay Natural Turf, which further strengthens the Group’s ability to support clients with joined-up solutions.

“At its core, this is about adding value,” he added. “Whether it’s maintenance, resurfacing, rackets or natural turf, the Replay standard is non-negotiable. We want to continue leading the market, innovating and being a trusted resource for our clients for the next 20 years – just as we have been for the last 20.”

Commenting on Matt’s appointment, Nick Harris, Managing Director of the Replay Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Matt Bartle as our new Head of Commercial Strategy.

Matt brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight and will play a key role in driving our commercial growth and strengthening partnerships as we continue to expand. We’re delighted to have him on board and look forward to the impact he will make.”

For more information, visit www.replaymaintenance.co.uk

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STRI Group Appoints Ian Lacy as Senior Consultant

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STRI Group Appoints Ian Lacy as Senior Consultant: STRI Group has strengthened its consultancy capability with the appointment of Ian Lacy as Senior Consultant, bringing more than 40 years of international experience in the design, construction, management and optimisation of sports surfaces.

Ian joins STRI with an extensive track record advising elite sports organisations, governing bodies and facilities worldwide, including FIFA, the FA, RFU, ECB and LTA. His expertise spans natural and synthetic surfaces, feasibility studies, pitch audits, sustainability strategies and the implementation of performance quality standards across a diverse range of sporting environments.

STRI Group Appoints Ian Lacy as Senior Consultant

STRI Group Appoints Ian Lacy as Senior Consultant

Throughout his career, Ian has delivered hands-on grounds management and consultancy services across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, working with professional clubs, national associations and major sports venues to enhance playing surface performance and long-term facility resilience.

Richard Stuttard, Group Director commented, “Ian’s depth of technical knowledge and global experience within the sports turf industry will further enhance STRI’s consultancy offering. His appointment reinforces our commitment to delivering world-leading expertise to clients across football, rugby, tennis, golf and other elite sports environments.”

Ian Lacy added, “STRI Group is recognised globally for its leadership in sports surface consultancy and research. I’m excited to be working with the team to support clients with innovative, evidence-based solutions that drive performance, sustainability and long-term surface quality.”

The addition of Ian Lacy to the team highlights a continued ambition for growth as the Group continues to redefine standards for sustainable sports surface design and management.

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BASIS Appoints Interim Chief Operating Officer

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BASIS Appoints Interim Chief Operating Officer: BASIS Registration has appointed Mark Spurdens as Interim Chief Operating Officer.

Mark brings extensive experience across the Agri-Food sector and professional development, including senior leadership roles within fresh produce and technical operations. He also supports Professional development through pro bono work  in education and as a member of the Institute of Food Science and Technology Scientific Committee.

BASIS Appoints Interim Chief Operating Officer

BASIS Appoints Interim Chief Operating Officer

In his interim role, Mark will lead operations while BASIS moves forward with the recruitment of a new permanent Chief Executive. following the resignation of Corrina Urquhart

William Burgess, Chairman, said: “Mark brings valuable operational experience and sector knowledge. His appointment ensures continuity while we proceed with the recruitment of a permanent Chief Executive.”

Mark said he is pleased to be supporting BASIS during this period and looks forward to working with the team and stakeholders as the organisation continues to deliver for members.

The recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive will continue in due course.

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KAR UK welcomes new Area Sales & Accounts Manager

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KAR UK welcomes new Area Sales & Accounts Manager: KAR UK has announced the appointment of Oliver Paton as Area Sales & Accounts Manager for Southern England and South Wales, further strengthening its regional support and customer-facing expertise.

Oliver joins the team with over eight years’ experience across irrigation, water treatment and filtration, bringing with him a strong understanding of both the technology and the practical demands faced by customers operating in the field.

KAR UK welcomes new Area Sales & Accounts Manager

KAR UK welcomes new Area Sales & Accounts Manager

“I’ve been working in irrigation and water treatment for a number of years now, so the industry itself is very familiar to me,” Oliver explained. “I understand how systems are put together, how different components work together, and, most importantly, how they’re used in real-world applications.”

Having worked closely with products from the KAR portfolio for several years prior to joining the company, Oliver is already well placed to support customers from day one.

“I know the products, I’m used to selling them, and I’ve dealt with many of the people who are using them,” he said.

In his new role, Oliver will act as a key point of contact for customers across Southern England and South Wales, offering technical guidance, product advice and tailored solutions.

“A lot of the focus in the first six months is about meeting people and making myself known,” he said. “I want to be that first point of call – offering assistance and advice and working closely with the wider KAR team to make sure customers get the best solution for their needs.”

Oliver’s background in delivering bespoke and turnkey projects is expected to be a major asset, particularly as systems continue to become more advanced.

“Technology has moved on massively,” he added. “It’s about understanding the application and matching the right solution to how it’s actually going to be used.”

With KAR’s extensive product portfolio, Oliver is confident he can help customers navigate those choices.

“Meeting people, understanding their challenges, and putting together solutions that really work for them is what I am really looking forward to.”

Outside of work, Oliver enjoys spending time with his young family and playing rugby.

KAR UK looks forward to welcoming Oliver to the team and supporting customers across Southern England and South Wales with his experience, insight and hands-on approach.

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on X and Instagram @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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