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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phs Greenleaf appoints biophilic expert

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phs Greenleaf appoints biophilic expert: Jane Leese has joined phs Greenleaf as its Biophilic Design Consultant as the interior and exterior planting business continues to grow across the UK.

Jane has 12 years of experience in the horticulture market and has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands and multinational companies to bring ambitious biophilic designs to life.

phs Greenleaf appoints biophilic expert

phs Greenleaf appoints biophilic expert

Jane’s role at phs Greenleaf will see her deliver interior and exterior schemes from concept to installation, including multi-site customers across the UK.

“Biophilia is the concept that humans have an innate connection to nature,” explains Jane. “In commercial and public spaces, biophilic design aims to bring elements of the natural world inside because there is strong evidence that this improves health, wellbeing, performance and organisational outcomes.

“Including plants, trees, flowers and other natural materials into interior spaces serves a greater purpose than creating a nice aesthetic. It can deliver real tangible benefits, including improved productivity and reduced sick days. Even NASA has advocated for plants to be used in offices to help purify air.”

“It is more complex that putting a potted plant in the corner of your meeting room however,” continues Jane. “It is about putting the right plant in the right place and thinking outside the box to meet your goals. Plants can go inside, on or even around a building – there are no limits.

“ESG is a focus at every stage of the process. We want designs to reduce CO2, promote sustainability and use recyclables wherever possible.”

Stephen Dieppe, Managing Director of phs Greenleaf, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jane to phs Greenleaf at a time when demand for high-quality biophilic design is growing rapidly across the UK.

“Jane brings a wealth of horticultural expertise and a deep understanding of how thoughtful planting can transform commercial and public spaces. Her passion for plants and her ability to deliver ambitious, sustainable schemes at scale will be invaluable as we continue to grow across the UK.”

phs Greenleaf supplies over 8,000 customers with interior and exterior planting across the UK and makes over 25,000 customer site visits every year. It provides a full range of horticultural services, including indoor and outdoor plants, artificial and live planting, living walls, grounds maintenance and Christmas trees and decorations, as well as expert maintenance services.

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Meg Lay Named Young New Zealander of the Year

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Meg Lay Named Young New Zealander of the Year: GMA NextGen is proud to announce that its Co-Chair, Meg Lay, has been named Young New Zealander of the Year at the prestigious Waitangi Day Gala Ball, held at the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel in London. 

The award was presented by the His Excellency Hamish Cooper, NZ High Commissioner to the UK, Rachel Glucina, President of The New Zealand Society, and Richard Dawson the Head of ANZ Bank UK & Europe, and recognises outstanding young Kiwis making a meaningful impact both abroad and at home.

Meg Lay Named Young New Zealander of the Year

Meg Lay Named Young New Zealander of the Year

As part of the honour, Meg was presented with a korowai, a traditional Māori cloak symbolising mana and respect, along with a personal letter from the Prime Minister of New Zealand, in which he said: “What a fantastic achievement: from farming in Christchurch to being the first female grounds woman at Lords ‘s Cricket Ground. You should be rightly proud of your achievements,”

Meg was selected for her groundbreaking contributions to the grounds management industry, including becoming the first female groundsperson at Lord’s Cricket Ground and her leadership in forming the first all-female grounds team at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Her work as part of GMA NextGen has also been instrumental in promoting innovation and inclusivity within the profession.

The selection process for the prestigious award was highly competitive, with nominations evaluated by a distinguished panel including the NZ High Commissioner to the UK, President of The New Zealand Society and Head of ANZ Bank UK & Europe. Meg’s achievements and leadership stood out among the candidates.

“It is an incredible honour to be recognised in this way,” said Meg Lay. “Receiving the korowai and a letter from the Prime Minister was deeply moving. I am proud to represent New Zealanders making a difference around the world, and I hope this inspires more young people to pursue careers in grounds management.”

The Waitangi Day Gala Ball is an annual celebration of New Zealand culture, heritage and excellence, bringing together the Kiwi community in the United Kingdom. This year’s event highlighted the achievements of the next generation of New Zealanders on the global stage.

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EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor

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EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor: Synthetic bunker edge pioneers EcoBunker have appointed Charlie Taylor to the position of Technical Sales Manager in a move that is set to strengthen the relationship between the brand and its customers.

Taylor began his career at Gillingham Golf Club where he qualified as a greenkeeper. After 3 years at Gillingham, he moved into generalist grounds care before starting his own grounds maintenance business. Having undertaken a number of projects in collaboration with EcoBunker, when the opportunity to join the business arose, Taylor could not turn down the opportunity.

EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor

EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor

“It was obviously a tough decision to close my business, but the chance to return to my roots in golf and to work with a brand that I truly believe in was too good an opportunity to miss,” said Taylor upon the announcement of his appointment. “With a superb range of bunker edge technology, bunker liners, lake edging and now LOKSAND, EcoBunker is growing at pace. I’m delighted to be part of the team and look forward to helping drive the business forward to the next level.”

Taylor’s role will see him manage customer relationships, ranging from project consultations and quotations, to supervising installations and ensuring quality and longevity of installations. Wherever a customer needs input from EcoBunker, Taylor will manage relationships so that customers have quick access to the answers they need.

“We have a superb product and our installations are second to none, but we needed someone with a detailed technical knowledge and a fantastic talent for customer service to strengthen the team and manage a rapidly increasing number of leads and enquiries,” commented CEO Richard Allen. “Having worked closely with Charlie on several projects, we were absolutely thrilled that he wanted to join us. He has the perfect blend of skills for the role and we can’t wait to see the service he delivers for our customers and the impact that he has on the business.”

Taylor has been in position since the end of January, where he helped introduce EcoBunker’s latest innovation – pre-cut synthetic tiles – alongside the first showing of LOKSAND to the U.K. market. For more information on working with EcoBunker or to arrange a visit to your venue, please contact charlie.taylor@ecobunker.co.uk or visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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