Andrew de Wet joins Symbio

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Andrew de Wet joins Symbio: Andrew de Wet has been appointed by Symbio as Technical Sales Manager for the Midlands.

A former Golf Course Manager with a passion for sustainability and ecology, Andrew went on to launch a successful turf care and landscaping company before joining an organisation whose ethos and products he has long advocated. He is looking forward to working with a broad range of customers in his area which extends from Leicester to Birmingham, up to the Peak District and across South Yorkshire.

Andrew de Wet joins Symbio

Andrew de Wet joins Symbio

He comments, “Recognising that golf courses are such valuable urban ecosystems, good environmental stewardship was at the heart of everything I did as a greenkeeper. I committed to reducing inputs and with Symbio’s help I was able to, growing finer grasses in a healthier rootzone and redirecting that expenditure to other areas of the golf course. I’m looking forward to giving confidence and support to other turf managers looking to do the same.”

Established in 1990, Symbio was the first company to combine soil biology and chemistry to develop a range of industry-changing products, including Thatch Eater to convert thatch to plant food, mycorrhizal fungi to promote perennial grasses and in some cases more than halve fertiliser use; Liquid Aeration to oxygenate the rootzone, and compost teas to restore life to chemically damaged and compacted rootzones.

Andrew can be contacted on 07513 125554 and by email at andrew@symbio.co.uk

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Symbio appoint Biological Science Specialist

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Symbio appoint Biological Science Specialist: Symbio has appointed biological science specialist Dr Deidre Charleston, Ph.D. as Research and Technical Manager, bringing over 20 years’ extensive experience of field trials, data collection, new product development, testing of compounds and mixtures and fulfilment of UK and EU pesticide regulatory and labelling requirements.

Growing up in South Africa, the daughter of a game ranger, Deidre’s early experience of wide-open spaces and respect for the natural world later developed into a life-long passion for biological science. After graduating from university, her early career was spent working as a research scientist in Africa investigating ways to improve integrated pest management (IPM) in agriculture.

Symbio appoint Biological Science Specialist

Symbio appoint Biological Science Specialist

Her career path has included managing trials programmes at Microspore and Arysta Life Science as well as laboratory trials in plant pathology and entomology. At Scotts Miracle-Gro, she was responsible for managing the Levington Research station in the UK, running 100-200 field trials a year and leading international biocide projects.

Prior to joining Symbio, in her role as Curriculum and Quality Manager at Easton and Otley College, her responsibilities included academic and subject leadership for land-based studies, and delivery of plant and soil science, pest control and PA01 training for NPTC qualifications.

She comments, “I’m very excited about joining Symbio which really takes me back to my roots in scientific research but combines that with a focus on the value of education. My role has three key aspects to it. Firstly, to review our current product portfolio and run new, rigorous trials so that we are continually updating and adding to our knowledge with scientific data. Secondly to focus on education; making the science more accessible by running seminars and events, talking about soil biology and helping users understand how our products work best. The restrictions on pesticide use will only keep increasing so we need to be looking at equivalent, sustainable alternatives. Lastly, I’m going to be improving and developing new products, with science-based innovation that will make a difference to the way we manage sportsturf in the future”.

Dr Deidre Charleston can be contacted on Tel: 07968 344029 and by email at deidre@symbio.co.uk.

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Avant appoint Sales Manager

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Avant appoint Regional Sales Manager: John Spencer Sales & Marketing Director, AVANT Tecno UK Ltd commenting on the recent addition to the team had these words to share “ With continued growth and expansion, we at Avant Tecno UK have been looking for a regional manager to join our team for the North of the UK, to assist our dedicated dealership network and make sure our Avant owners continue to receive the personal touch that we pride ourselves on.

We have met with many people over the past months to find someone that would meet with our criteria and eventually we have found the best candidate, that upholds our values, vision and understands our customer’s needs.

Avant appoint Regional Sales Manager

Avant appoint Regional Sales Manager

Peter Barfield was introduced to me personally by a contact within our network and came highly recommended. Peter joins us with a vast knowledge and experience of the plant/machinery industry, and I truly believe he is going to be a great asset to the Avant Family.

 I look forward to introducing Peter to our current dealer network and working with him to strengthen our close relationship with our customers, plus he will be assisting in the growth of our already extensive Avant Network throughout Northern England and Scotland bringing Avant closer to the wider audience.”

Peter Barfield Regional Sales Manager for AVANT Tecno UK Ltd upbeat about his new position commented “ I am very pleased to be joining Avant Tecno UK, it’s a family company (Finnish) with family values, every employee is valued the same no matter what job they do.

The Avant product it superb and is made to very high standards, its what you would expect from a manufacture in Finland. The range covers many industries including, landscaping, forestry, agricultural, construction and many more. With the recent addition of the 860 series Avant have raised the bar on compact loaders, this will appeal to even more markets.

I am very excited to be joining an excellent team and hope I can add to their continued success.”

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Golf’s ‘Sustainability Champions’ recognised

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Golf’s ‘Sustainability Champions’ recognised: GEO Foundation has announced an exciting new initiative to recognise and celebrate individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to advancing sustainability in golf.

These ‘Sustainability Champions’ are honoured for their significant and measurable achievements in club and course management, and in the future, this will extend to course design, tournament staging and advocacy.

Golf’s ‘Sustainability Champions’ recognised

Jonathan Smith, Executive Director, GEO Foundation said: “Golf’s positive contributions to the environment and communities come from the commitments, actions and results generated by real people across the sport, around the world. It is their voluntary leadership that is helping deliver stronger and more sustainable businesses; changing the image of the game; and delivering even more value to society. This is our way of recognising and rewarding them, as individuals, and will hopefully inspire many others to step forward and follow suit.”

See the eligibility criteria and inaugural list of Sustainability Champions

One of the first Sustainability Champions is Richard Mullen, Course Manager at Banchory Golf Club. Richard said: “Always within our professional industry we try to create the best surfaces we can, we should not however create these surfaces to any detrimental measures. We must work day-to-day with a sustainable approach to ensure not just the future of our game but the environment we live in. No bigger reason to change the way we think.”

New individuals will always be welcomed as Sustainability Champions, as they meet the criteria, to create a recognisable, public listing of sustainable golf leaders around the world.

Steve Isaac, Director – Sustainability, The R&A said: “Addressing sustainability often requires behavioural change and investment in infrastructure. It takes courage for individuals at golf facilities to take the lead in promoting such activities to their managers and employers. Those that succeed have to be truly committed and persuasive. ‘Sustainability Champions’ recognises these individuals who not only follow their conscience and do what is right, but who take action that reflects favourably on the golf business and on the sport itself.”

Each Champion is provided with a recognition mark and supporting materials to represent their important roles in the workplace, on their CV and in their communities.

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Could you be the new BASIS FACTS Chairperson?

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Could you be the new BASIS FACTS Chairperson?: BASIS is seeking to recruit a new Chairperson for the BASIS FACTS Advisory Committee, starting in March 2020.

The FACTS Committee comprises of representatives from a range of academic, advisory and commercial organisations, which the new Chair will oversee.

Could you be the new BASIS FACTS Chairperson?

BASIS CEO, Stephen Jacob, explains the FACTS Committee is taking forward some important changes to the FACTS scheme, to ensure professional standards are kept up to date and aligned with developments in the technical, regulatory and policy environment.

“We’re looking for a Chair that can manage robust debate around the ever-changing landscape and gain buy-in from members, as well as the bodies they represent,” says Stephen.

“The Chair will be responsible for setting the agenda, liaising with the BASIS team and ensuring that Committee members views are heard and acted upon.”

He says the Board is looking for an independent candidate who is not involved in the industries which BASIS serves.

“The new Chair needs to be an experienced manager who can demonstrate being a team player. It would also be beneficial to have experience of land-based or related industries, but this isn’t vital,” he adds.

The role requires chairing a minimum of two meetings a year, which are held in Peterborough, but the candidate can be based anywhere in the UK. In addition, the successful individual will be appointed as a Trustee of BASIS. This involves joining a further three Board meetings each year.

The FACTS Chair will be appointed by the BASIS Board of Trustees for an initial three-year term, which can be renewed annually for a further four years.

Outgoing FACTS Chair, Susannah Bolton, says she has thoroughly enjoyed the role.

“I have relished working with an engaged, expert Committee and a dedicated team at BASIS, in an area where I feel we can really make a difference and build trust in our industry,” says Susannah.

For an informal and confidential discussion to learn more about the position, please email Stephen Jacob on stephen@basis-reg.co.uk to arrange a mutually convenient time.

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