Mark Andrews appointed Managing Director of Landscapes

/in , /by

Mark Andrews appointed Managing Director of Landscapes: Origin Enterprises plc (‘Origin’ or ‘the Group’), the international group championing sustainable land use solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Mark Andrews as Managing Director of Landscapes, a newly created role within the Group’s Living Landscapes division.

Mark assumes overall responsibility for Origin’s Landscapes businesses, currently comprising four companies: Green-tech, Suregreen, British Hardwood Tree Nursery and Groundtrax. He will lead the design and delivery of the Landscapes strategy, drive operational performance, and play a central role in supporting both organic growth and M&A activities.

Mark Andrews appointed Managing Director of Landscapes

Mark Andrews appointed Managing Director of Landscapes

This appointment marks a significant step in strengthening the Group’s management depth, ensuring the Living Landscapes division is well positioned to deliver on its long-term strategic objectives and growth ambitions.

Mark has over 20 years of commercial and operational leadership experience across the sector, with a strong track record in value creation, team leadership, and developing best-in-class commercial capabilities in commoditised and competitive businesses. His career spans roles in the UK, North America and EMEA, including senior leadership positions at Saint Gobain/British Gypsum, Knauf Insulation, BMI Group, and most recently, Aliaxis Group where he served as VP UK and Ireland.

Origin is confident that Mark’s appointment will bring additional expertise, insight, and momentum to the Group’s Landscapes sector as it enters its next phase of development and growth.

TJ Kelly, Managing Director, Living Landscapes, commented: “Mark is an excellent addition to Origin and our Living Landscapes leadership team. His deep sector knowledge and proven global leadership experience will be instrumental in shaping and delivering our Landscapes strategy. This appointment reflects our ambition to scale our presence in the Sports, Environmental, and Landscapes sectors.”

Mark Andrews, Managing Director of Landscapes, commented: “I am excited to be joining Origin at a strategically important time for the Living Landscapes division. Leading the Landscapes portfolio presents the opportunity to drive organic growth, expand our capabilities and unlock new opportunities, underpinned by a shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and delivering value to Origin’s customers and other stakeholders.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Supercharge your summer anthem with EGO

/in , /by

Supercharge your summer anthem with EGO: EGO Power+ has extended its lifestyle range of battery-powered equipment with the launch of its first outdoor speaker.

One of the most powerful portable speakers on the market, the 180W RMS hi-spec speaker (SK1800E) is designed for premium sound quality. Boasting seven advanced speaker transducers and with an IPX4 protection rating, it can set the beat for any event – whether indoors or outdoors.

Supercharge your summer anthem with EGO

Supercharge your summer anthem with EGO

A must-have for music lovers, connect any playback device via Bluetooth, or 3.5mm audio jack. Bigger sound can be delivered using the Bass Boost function or Party Mode, allowing you to connect up to 100 EGO speakers, providing an impressive sound for bigger events

Andrew Frohock, IoT Product Manager for EGO, comments: “The outdoor speaker is a fantastic addition to our range and is perfect for the summer months – whether it’s parties in the garden, camping trips or even larger-scale events that require multiple speakers to be hooked up.

“Pushing the boundaries of innovation is at the core of our product development. While our lifestyle range enables us to be creative with product solutions, we are committed to maintaining the high quality, power, and performance we are known for.”

Multifunctional, the speaker can charge phones or power laptops via the integrated 100w USB-C PD or USB-A port and can even be used to charge EGO’s 56V ARC LithiumTM batteries when connected to a USB-C PD power supply (not included).

EGO’s SK1800E Outdoor Speaker retails at £339, batteries are available separately.

Find out more about the speaker at: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/products/lifestyle/sk1800e-outdoor-speaker

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

GMA Welcomes £400 Million Government Boost

/in , /by

GMA Welcomes £400 Million Government Boost: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) welcomes the UK Government’s announcement of at least £400 million for new and upgraded grassroots sports facilities across the country.

This significant funding package recognises the vital role that high-quality sports infrastructure plays in supporting participation in communities across the country. It also reflects the collective efforts of the wider sporting sector, including the often-unsung work of grounds management professionals and volunteers.

GMA Welcomes £400 Million Government Boost

GMA Welcomes £400 Million Government Boost

As the leading not-for-profit membership organisation for the grounds care sector, the GMA is at the forefront of improving the quality and safety of playing surfaces across the UK. Since the launch of the Pitch Advisory Service in 2014, the GMA has carried out over 50,000 pitch inspections in England, working alongside National Governing Bodies (NGBs) as well as local authorities and volunteers to raise standards and improve playing surfaces.

The Pitch Advisory Service now extends across Wales, providing practical guidance and development that helps clubs and communities get the most from their facilities.

Geoff Webb, Chief Executive Officer at the GMA, said: “We welcome the government investment as a real boost for grassroots sport. Over the past decade, the Pitch Advisory Service – working hand in hand with national governing bodies and local volunteers – has helped transform the quality of many community pitches across the UK. This funding allows us to continue that vital work, ensuring clubs and communities benefit from well-maintained facilities that inspire more people to play and stay in sport.”

The GMA’s impact is amplified through its long-standing partnerships with NGBs of sport, including The FA, Rugby Football Union, England and Wales Cricket Board, Rugby Football League and many others. These collaborations are central to the delivery of national sport development strategies, ensuring that grounds management is embedded in every effort to grow participation and improve player experience.

A key example of this is the recently launched Premier League Pitch Standards Framework – a resource developed in partnership to help Premier League clubs assess and improve the quality of their playing surfaces, ensuring consistency, safety of players and longer-term sustainability.

Beyond technical support, the GMA plays a central role in training and upskilling the grounds management workforce all the way from volunteers at grassroots clubs to full-time grounds staff at elite venues. Through a wide range of accredited qualifications and online learning, the GMA helps ensure that grounds staff have the knowledge and confidence to deliver safe and high-quality playing surfaces.

A key driver of this progress is SALTEX, Europe’s cutting-edge grounds management show. As a free-to-attend event, SALTEX enables the GMA to reinvest monies back in the sector, helping fund training, resources, subsidised memberships, GMA Industry Awards, #GroundsWeek and other initiatives that directly benefit sport.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, said: “Sport tells our national story in a way few other things can – uniting communities, inspiring millions, and showcasing our nation on the global stage. This major backing for world-class events will drive economic growth across the country, delivering on our Plan for Change. Coupled with strong investment into grassroots sport, we’re creating a complete pathway to allow the next generation of sporting heroes to train and take part in sport in communities across the UK.”

With the backing of this new government funding, and the continued engagement of the industry through events like SALTEX, we’re well placed to drive further improvements that benefit grassroots sport and communities across the UK.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Nick Brown Joins Asian Golf Industry Federation Board

/in , , /by

Nick Brown Joins Asian Golf Industry Federation Board: Campey Turf Care Systems is delighted to announce that for the first time, a member of the Campey team has been appointed to the board of the Asian Golf Industry Federation Board (AGIF).

“We have been working closely with the AGIF for many years, contributing advice, information and practical assistance on the ground to the golf course managers and turf professionals across Asia.” Said Managing Director Julia Campey. “To be able to positively influence the direction of the industry, through Nick’s experience and insight, is a unique and valuable opportunity.”

Nick Brown Joins Asian Golf Industry Federation Board

Nick Brown Joins Asian Golf Industry Federation Board

Chris Gray has welcomed Campey Export Sales Manager Nick Brown. The AGIF President said: “We’re delighted to have an individual of Nick’s experience and understanding of the golf industry join the AGIF Board. We look forward to the fresh perspectives he will bring with him.

After many years as a member, we’re especially pleased as this is the first time that Campey Turf Care Systems has had representation on the Board.

These are exciting times for the Federation, and I have no doubt we will benefit from the expertise that Nick will bring to the table.”

For his part, Nick brings more than 25 years of experience in the golf and sports turf industry, including a previous role at Ransomes Jacobsen, where he gained extensive knowledge of international markets.

As the Export Sales Manager at Campey Turf Care Systems, a company specialising in turf care machinery, Nick is responsible for expanding Campey’s presence in international markets, focusing on building and maintaining long-lasting customer relationships.

Reflecting on his appointment, Nick stated, “My role on the AGIF board allows me to directly engage with members, understand emerging trends, and advocate for their needs while building high-level networks in both developed and emerging markets.

Nick concludes “As golf continues to grow in its appeal across Asia—from grassroots development to championship venues —I feel that the AGIF and its board members remain essential to guiding that momentum in a direction that is commercially viable, environmentally responsible, and globally connected.”

For further information please contact nick@campeyturfcare.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac

/in , /by

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac: Habs Boys and Habs Girls are two leading independent schools, dating back to 1690, on a fabulous 104 acre, co-educational campus in Hertfordshire.

Mike Kemmett is Head of Grounds & Gardens. He and his team are responsible for maintaining the extensive grounds to a high standard. Football, rugby, lacrosse and cricket, to name a few, all have to have turf playing surfaces maintained.  As with all establishments, however, Mike’s budget needs careful control. In September 2024 Habs was reconsidering its ageing machinery fleet. It was at that time that Mike considered their first Ventrac package from RT Machinery. Versatility and multi-tasking were high on the list of requirements from new machinery and the combination had perform more efficiently than the outgoing fleet. Has the plan worked?

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac

Mike commented that previously Habs had an out-front rider with flail mower for their rough areas, tractors with rear mounted rotaries for quick pitch recovery between games and cylinder mowers for cricket and fine turf maintenance. In fact Mike’s first experience with Ventrac was a demonstration of the 4520 tractor with a Power Rake. “A cricket net area had been let go and needed reclamation. We had concrete rubble, bits of steel and other rubbish, it was a mess” says Mike. “A demo from Ventrac restored it in a few hours to a point where we could replant the area”. Mike also commented that “In addition we saw the stump grinder and trenching attachment, both of which completed tasks that would have taken us much longer to do otherwise. I was impressed”

On the back of these demonstrations Habs purchased a Ventrac 4520, MU720 Finishing Mower, an HQ682 Rough Cut Mower and a KM500 Fore-end Loader, knowing that other accessories could be purchased or hired in future. Mike likes the one power unit, many attachments concept. One immediate advantage being it saves space in his barn. Another advantage is “One operator can swap from one attachment to another in minutes” says Mike. “The Tough Cut mower has cleared woodlands that haven’t been touched in years, we even cut twelve foot bamboo down. It was an old assault course we will now use for something else.”

The Wide Area Mower allows Mike and his team to repair divots and pitch damage even in winter. “We’re predominantly clay. Our pitches take a punishing sometimes” said Mike. “The rear roller stripes the pitches nicely and makes the pitch safer even if the pitches are over used during events like rugby sevens”. With their old fleet of tractors and mowers they would not have got onto the pitches so play would be cancelled or held elsewhere. Mike has found that the compactness, low ground pressure and articulated steering of the Ventrac allows him to turn faster at the end of each run on a pitch without turf damage. “A job that took three and half hours now takes two and half” commented Mike, a 28% improvement in efficiency.

Habs continues to expand its horizons and is introducing new facilities, planning for the future. The versatility of more than thirty two attachments will ensure the Ventracs indispensability in helping to maintain the campus to the high standard that is expected. The plan is working.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.