STRI Appoints Glenn Kirby as Research Director

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STRI Appoints Glenn Kirby as Research Director: STRI is pleased to announce the appointment of Glenn Kirby as its new Research Director. With more than 30 years’ experience in turf management, technical services, and digital innovation, Glenn will spearhead STRI’s next chapter in industry-leading research strategies.

Glenn joins STRI from Syngenta, where he most recently served as Technical Services Manager for Turf across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. His leadership in digital strategy, AI implementation, and market support trials has helped shape the future of sustainable turf management globally.

STRI Appoints Glenn Kirby as Research Director

STRI Appoints Glenn Kirby as Research Director

Glenn commented, “I think this is one of the most exciting periods for turf management in the UK and across Europe that we’ve ever seen. The challenges we face around climate, sustainability, and increasing expectations make this a pivotal time – and I’m looking forward to playing my part in shaping the future of our industry with STRI Group.  Here’s to new beginnings, collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of turf research.”

Richard Stuttard, Group Director added, “With Glenn’s unique blend of technical expertise, digital innovation and industry leadership experience, he’ll be instrumental in driving STRI’s research proposition for the future, pioneering new solutions for clients and supporting the team. We’re excited to welcome Glenn to the Group.”

Glenn will lead STRI’s research initiatives, focusing on sustainable practices, digital transformation, and collaborative innovation – building on successful customer relationships and introducing the Group’s expertise to new clients.  With Glenn at the helm, and with research and innovation in its DNA, STRI is well-placed to play a pivotal role in defining the future of turf management and beyond.

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Growth In GMA’s Training And Turf Care Advisory Services

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Growth In GMA’s Training And Turf Care Advisory Services: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has expanded its Technical and Learning department with two strategic appointments, boosting the support and expertise available to the sector through high-quality training and consultancy.

Bojan Jovanovic has been appointed as Learning Programme Lead, and Fiona Lyttle takes on the role of Turf Care Advisory Support Lead. Together, they bring extensive experience that will enhance the GMA’s educational and advisory services for both professionals and volunteers.

Growth In GMA’s Training And Turf Care Advisory Services

Growth In GMA’s Training And Turf Care Advisory Services

Bojan has worked closely with the GMA for over five years as an online tutor, supporting learners undertaking GMA qualifications. He brings a unique blend of educational and practical turf care expertise, having spent more than a decade teaching land-based qualifications at Further Education institutions. Earlier in his career, Bojan specialised in construction and maintenance of elite sports surfaces, contributing to high-profile projects across tennis, croquet, elite football and the London 2012 Olympic equestrian facilities.

Fiona brings a deep understanding of the sports turf industry, particularly in learning and development. Well known for her work with the Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC), which works closely with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) on education and training, she offers valuable educational insight and industry knowledge. Her appointment will support the continued growth and delivery of the GMA’s Turf Care Advisory (TCA) services.

The appointments mark a significant step in the GMA’s ongoing mission to provide high-quality training and consultancy, supporting the development of skills and standards across the entire industry.

Dan Prest, GMA Technical and Learning Manager, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Bojan and Fiona to the team. They both bring incredible industry knowledge and fresh perspectives that will help us grow our education and consultancy offer. Bojan’s background in both turf management and further education is a perfect fit for our evolving learning programmes. Fiona’s insight into training and development, along with her knowledge of the industry, will be so important in strengthening our Turf Care Advisory support. This is a real boost for the industry as a whole.”

Bojan Jovanovic, GMA Learning Programme Lead, said: “Having worked with the GMA for several years as a part-time tutor to many learners, I’m excited to step into this new role and help shape the learning journey for professionals and volunteers. Education is a vital part of raising standards in the sector, and I’m passionate about helping people succeed both on the ground and in the classroom.”

Fiona Lyttle, GMA Turf Care Advisory Support Lead, said: “I’m thrilled to join the GMA at a time when support and guidance are more important than ever. I’m looking forward to working on and developing the consultancy provision offered by the association and supporting those working across the breadth of the grounds management industry. It’s all about helping people feel confident and connected in their roles, allowing them to provide safe and fit for purpose playing surfaces.”

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Tubex Tree Shelters Now Made with Minimum 50% Recycled Content

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Tubex Tree Shelters Now Made with Minimum 50% Recycled Content: Tubex, A Magnera Brand, has announced that all its market-leading recyclable tree shelters are now being produced using a minimum of 50% recycled content, a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing drive to improve sustainability in tree protection.

Available for the 2025/26 planting season, Tubex’s standard shelters of all heights, including its Shrubshelter and Easywrap range, will all contain a minimum of 50% recycled material, with an increasing proportion of that recycled content coming directly from used shelters recycled through Tubex’s Collection & Recycling Programme.

Tubex Tree Shelters Now Made with Minimum 50% Recycled Content

Tubex Tree Shelters Now Made with Minimum 50% Recycled Content

This latest improvement forms part of the manufacturer’s wider goal of improving the sustainability proposition for tree shelters as Dean Latten, Tubex’s Plant Director, explains:
“It was always our goal to maximise the amount of recycled content in our shelters, but we needed to ensure that we could manufacture consistently at that increased level. Thanks to a brilliant effort from our team in Aberdare, we are now able to do this.

“This is the same leading recyclable shelter range that thousands of landowners and foresters trust, just made with more recycled material. We’re always looking for ways to improve what we offer, and this is another step in the right direction for us.”

Tubex recycled shelters have the lowest carbon footprint in our range and are 100% recyclable at end of life. This closed-loop system enables contractors and landowners to minimise waste, meet regulatory requirements and reduce the long-term impact of their planting projects.

For more information on the updated Tubex shelters and the full range of sustainable tree protection options, visit: https://tubex.com/products/tubex-standard-recyclable-tree-shelters/

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Precision Irrigation, Smarter Water Management at GroundsFest

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Precision Irrigation, Smarter Water Management at GroundsFest: KAR UK is one of the UK’s leading distributors of professional irrigation and water management solutions – trusted by landscapers, contractors, sports turf professionals, and local authorities nationwide.

With decades of experience and unrivalled technical know-how, KAR UK is the exclusive UK distributor for Hunter Industries and represents a portfolio of premium global brands renowned for performance, reliability, and innovation.

Precision Irrigation, Smarter Water Management at GroundsFest

Precision Irrigation, Smarter Water Management at GroundsFest

At this year’s GroundsFest, KAR UK will showcase an impressive line-up of intelligent solutions from Hunter, Amiad, Bermad, Kasco and Tricoflex – delivering everything from automated irrigation systems and weather-based controllers to advanced filtration, pumps, valves, durable pipework, hoses, and cutting-edge micro-irrigation technologies.

What sets KAR UK apart is its commitment to helping customers design and implement efficient, future-ready irrigation systems. With deep technical expertise, large UK stockholding, and fast nationwide delivery, the team works closely with professionals to provide bespoke solutions tailored to every project.

From smart controllers that adjust watering schedules based on weather data to energy-efficient pumps and robust filtration systems, the products on display at GroundsFest represent the very best in water-saving technology. With sustainability and precision at the forefront, KAR UK is helping the industry adopt smarter, greener irrigation practices.

Visit KAR UK on Stand 22 in Hall 1 at GroundsFest 2025 to explore the full range, see the latest innovations, and speak directly with experts who can guide you through every stage of your irrigation projects.

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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Trilo makes GroundsFest debut with Multipurpose showcase

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Trilo makes GroundsFest debut with Multipurpose showcase: Trilo are looking forward to making their GroundsFest debut this 9th and 10th September, with a showcase of multifunctional vacuum collectors on stand RB220 at Stoneleigh Park.

Renowned as one of the global leaders in the field of leaf clearance, Trilo’s Multipurpose range extends the robust performance and versatility of their units to other green space maintenance tasks including cut and collection and large-area scarification.

Trilo makes GroundsFest debut with Multipurpose showcase

Trilo makes GroundsFest debut with Multipurpose showcase

The Trilo Multipurpose range is proof-positive that versatility doesn’t have to mean a compromise in performance. Where other collectors spend the months outside of leaf-fall season in the shed, the Trilo range – which spans models from 3m3 to 20m3 – works on, successfully completing tasks around the maintenance calendar for local authorities, golf courses and other green space managers.

Visitors to the outdoor display area at GroundsFest will be able to find the Trilo M4 and, larger, Trilo M10 on display. The M4 with its 4m3 hopper capacity, offers the compact, quick collection of leaves – making light work of one of the autumns most time-consuming tasks. When not collecting leaves, clippings and other debris in the autumn, the Trilo Multipurpose can be equipped with a scarifier shaft for the effective scarification of large areas such as parks or fairways – with all extracted material simultaneously collected in the same pass.

Alternatively, a flail shaft can be fitted for the fast cut and collection of areas such as golf roughs, roadside verges or the annual end-of-season maintenance of wildflower meadows.

The interchangeable heads can be quickly swapped in and out, with minimal tools, resulting in less time spent in the workshop and more out in the field. Further efficiency is also delivered by Trilo’s hydraulic high-tip function, offering the controlled disposal of waste into compost or awaiting containers. For the first time the M4 will also be displayed with a fully-hydraulic work arm, a new feature for 2025, enabling the wanderhose to be operated from the comfort of the cab and meaning all aspects of the machine can be operated by just one person.

Power up your green performance and find out how Trilo is the perfect addition to any maintenance fleet by speaking to a member of the technical team, on hand to answer all of your questions across the two-day show.

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