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Toro UK strengthening its professional focus in the UK & EMEA

September 4, 2026/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

Toro UK strengthening its professional focus in the UK & EMEA Toro UK are pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Read as their new Territory Manager for the South West of England and Wales. Rob brings a wealth of industry experience, having started his career in the ground care industry at Devon Garden Machinery, […]

Industry leaders and innovators headline SALTEX 2026

September 4, 2026/in Events, News, Press Release/by Admin

Industry leaders and innovators headline SALTEX 2026 SALTEX has unveiled an exceptional line-up of headline speakers for its prestigious Learning LIVE education programme, including experts from UEFA, STRI, Agrii (Envirofield), SAPCA, LaboSport and the Football Foundation. Bringing together experts from across sport, science and industry, the programme will provide visitors with direct access to the […]

Toro UK strengthening its professional focus in the UK & EMEA

September 4, 2026/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

Industry leaders and innovators headline SALTEX 2026

September 4, 2026/in Events, News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Toro UK strengthening its professional focus in the UK & EMEA

September 4, 2026/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

Toro UK strengthening its professional focus in the UK & EMEA

Toro UK are pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Read as their new Territory Manager for the South West of England and Wales.

Toro UK strengthening its professional focus in the UK & EMEA

Rob brings a wealth of industry experience, having started his career in the ground care industry at Devon Garden Machinery, where he experienced directly the needs of a professional dealership, in various roles, starting in the workshop and progressing into sales.

Rob has firsthand experience of Toro Equipment, having sold and demonstrated the full range of products in his role at DGM. Covering all aspects of sales, from domestic showroom customers, to golf courses, caravan sites as well as many other professional users.

With a strong background in grounds care machinery, technical support and sales, Toro says Rob will be working closely with their dealer network and customers across his territory, helping to drive growth and provide even greater support on the ground.

“I am really pleased to have Rob join the team. We had several highly qualified applicants for the role, so it was a very competitive field. But its Rob’s drive and enthusiasm, combined with his commercial experience which clinched it.” said Craig Hoare, Sales & Marketing Manager – Toro U.K. Limited. “I look forward to Rob utilising his sales and demo experience, to support our network of dealers.”

Rob started with Toro UK on 1st September and will be responsible for both the Hayter and Toro brands across the South West of England and Wales, covering both the residential and landscape contractor portfolios.

“I am really excited to be taking on this new challenge” said Rob. “I look forward to meeting with some old and some new faces across the territory, where I feel I can add real value to the Toro UK dealers.”

This appointment follows from Jack Roberts joining to cover the North of England and Scotland, enabling Toro to continue its focus and investment in Professional contractor equipment.

As part of these personnel changes, Toro UK are pleased to share that Matt Coleman has joined Toro’s EMEA Equipment Business Sales team as Area Sales Manager, Grounds and Landscape Contractor Equipment, reporting to Teo Denchev.

Since joining Toro UK in 2020, Matt has played an important role in developing and growing Toro’s Landscape Contractor and Siteworks business. His experience, customer focus and strong understanding of the professional landscape and grounds care markets have made him a trusted partner to customers and colleagues alike.

Matt’s move to the EMEA team reflects Toro’s continued commitment to investing in the professional grounds care segment and strengthening the support we provide across the region. As we continue to build on our positions of strength in this market, his knowledge and expertise will help us accelerate growth, support our distributor network and deliver greater value to customers.

In his new role, Matt will work closely with our distributors and internal teams to advance our strategy for professional grounds care and landscape contractor equipment across EMEA which includes the UK market.

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Industry leaders and innovators headline SALTEX 2026

September 4, 2026/in Events, News, Press Release/by Admin

Industry leaders and innovators headline SALTEX 2026

SALTEX has unveiled an exceptional line-up of headline speakers for its prestigious Learning LIVE education programme, including experts from UEFA, STRI, Agrii (Envirofield), SAPCA, LaboSport and the Football Foundation.

Industry leaders and innovators headline SALTEX 2026

Bringing together experts from across sport, science and industry, the programme will provide visitors with direct access to the latest thinking, research and real-world experiences shaping the future of grounds management.

Taking place across the Main Stage, Spotlight Stage and Community Sport Stage, Learning LIVE 2026 will bring together some of the most influential voices in sports turf management, environmental sustainability, water stewardship, scientific research, and grassroots sport. Through diverse expert-led sessions, visitors will gain practical insights, cutting-edge knowledge and lessons learned from professionals operating at the highest level of the industry.

Opening the programme is Lee Guerriero of UEFA, who will take to the Main Stage to deliver a highly anticipated session, ‘Review of UEFA Club Season 2025/2026 and a Preview of EURO 2028 Pitch Programmes’. Offering a unique perspective from one of world football’s governing bodies, Guerriero will reflect on the latest UEFA club competitions while looking ahead to the planning, preparation and expectations surrounding UEFA EURO 2028.

Hot off the back of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Greg Whately, Principal Consultant at STRI, will discuss the delivery of exceptional playing surfaces for major international tournaments. Greg will share valuable insights into the planning, preparation and performance standards required to support football’s biggest events, offering practical lessons for turf professionals operating at every level of the game.

Technology and innovation will be firmly in the spotlight during a session from Dr Ruth Mann of Agrii (Envirofield), who will explore ‘The Role of Technology in Turfcare Management’. Her presentation will examine how emerging technologies are transforming decision-making, improving efficiencies, and helping turf professionals deliver high-performing, sustainable surfaces.

Research-led learning will form another key strand of the programme. On the Spotlight Stage, Dr Christian Spring of STRI will headline the European Turfgrass Society Takeover with a session entitled ‘Putting Science and Research at the Heart of Turfgrass Management’. Visitors will gain valuable insight into how evidence-based approaches and scientific innovation are helping shape the future of turfgrass management across Europe.

With water management continuing to dominate industry agendas, Tony Hanson will present ‘From Problem to Resource: Unlocking Alternative Water for Turf Irrigation’ on the Main Stage. His session will explore innovative and sustainable approaches to water sourcing, offering practical solutions for organisations facing increasing pressure on traditional water supplies.

Also on the Spotlight Stage, Dr Kathryn Severn join the SAPCA Takeover session, ‘The Latest Trends in Player-Surface Interactive Research’. Her presentation will examine the latest findings surrounding the relationship between athletes and playing surfaces, providing valuable insight for professionals seeking to balance performance, safety, and sustainability.

GMA Grounds Manager of the Year 2026, Karl McDermott, will lead two Learning LIVE sessions, drawing on his experience at some of the UK’s most prestigious sporting venues. In the session, How Strong Team Culture Ensures Success at the AELTC, Lord’s Cricket Ground, the University of Leeds and Leicester City Football Club, Karl will explore how effective leadership, collaboration and a positive workplace culture underpin consistently high standards across a diverse range of world-class facilities.

The Community Sport Stage will feature expert guidance aimed at helping grassroots sports clubs’ access vital funding and resources. On 12 November, Ruby Armitage, PitchPower Project Officer at the Football Foundation, will present ‘How to Obtain a Machinery Grant’. Drawing on her experience supporting clubs and facilities across the grassroots game, Ruby will provide practical advice on securing funding for essential equipment and improving the long-term sustainability of playing surfaces.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association, said: “Learning LIVE has become one of the defining attractions of SALTEX, bringing together world-class expertise and practical knowledge that visitors can take back to their organisations. This year’s speaker line-up reflects many of the key issues shaping the future of grounds management, from major tournament preparation and climate resilience to scientific research, technological innovation, and grassroots facility development. We are delighted to welcome such an outstanding group of speakers to SALTEX 2026.”

As the industry’s leading platform for professional development, networking, and innovation, Learning LIVE continues to provide SALTEX visitors with unparalleled access to the people and organisations driving progress across the grounds management sector.

SALTEX 2026 takes place on 11 and 12 November at the NEC Birmingham, with all Learning LIVE sessions included free as part of visitor registration.

For more information and to register for free, visit www.saltex.org.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

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Toro UK strengthening its professional focus in the UK & EMEA

Industry leaders and innovators headline SALTEX 2026

Toro UK strengthening its professional focus in the UK & EMEA

Industry leaders and innovators headline SALTEX 2026

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Toro UK strengthening its professional focus in the UK & EMEA

Toro UK strengthening its professional focus in the UK & EMEA

Industry leaders and innovators headline SALTEX 2026

Industry leaders and innovators headline SALTEX 2026

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