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Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

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

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board As part of the ongoing Meet the Board series, Tom Arnold, Director of the Amenity Forum, Founder and CEO of TopGrass and Chair of the UK Lawn Care Association, speaks about his passion for the amenity industry and his commitment to helping move it forward. Tom […]

More Action. More Machines. More Machinery Nation LIVE

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

More Action. More Machines. More Machinery Nation LIVE One of the biggest crowd-pullers at GroundsFest is back for 2026, and it’s set to be louder, bigger and more action-packed than ever before. Machinery Nation LIVE is back on 16 and 17 September at Stoneleigh Park with an expanded programme of demonstrations, challenges and interactive experiences […]

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

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

More Action. More Machines. More Machinery Nation LIVE

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

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

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

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

As part of the ongoing Meet the Board series, Tom Arnold, Director of the Amenity Forum, Founder and CEO of TopGrass and Chair of the UK Lawn Care Association, speaks about his passion for the amenity industry and his commitment to helping move it forward.

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

Tom has spent more than 40 years working in the amenity sector and is widely recognised as a strong advocate for professional standards, training and the promotion of best practice. Over the course of his career, he has spent approximately half that time working with manufacturers of amenity fertiliser and plant protection products, and the other half building and leading his own lawn care business. Today, TopGrass is recognised as the largest independent lawn care company in the UK

As the industry responds to changing environmental expectations, increasing demand for sustainable landscape management and a growing focus on professional competence, Tom brings valuable practical experience and insight to the Amenity Forum Board.

We spoke to Tom about the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, the importance of collaboration and the role of natural turf in creating healthy, sustainable and attractive green spaces.

Q&A: Tom Arnold

What attracted you to the Amenity Forum and the opportunity to join its Board?

I have always believed that the amenity sector is stronger when organisations work together. The Amenity Forum provides a unique platform for bringing together different parts of the industry, including contractors, suppliers, professional bodies, local authorities and regulators.

The Forum has an important role in promoting best practice, encouraging professional standards and ensuring the sector has a collective voice on issues that affect us all. Joining the Board provided an opportunity to contribute to that work and help support the future development of the sector.

Why is the work of the Amenity Forum important?

The amenity sector is incredibly diverse, but many of the challenges we face are shared. Whether you are managing lawns, sports turf, parks, public spaces or wider landscapes, there is a common need for professional competence, responsible management and effective communication.

The Forum provides an opportunity to share knowledge and experience across sectors, whilst helping to ensure that decision-makers understand the practical realities of managing amenity spaces.

It also plays an important role in promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM), supporting professional competence and helping organisations adopt practical, sustainable approaches to managing pests, weeds and diseases.

What are the biggest challenges facing the lawn care and turf management sector?

One of the biggest challenges is balancing increasing expectations with available resources. Customers want high-quality, healthy and attractive green spaces, but organisations are also being asked to deliver environmental benefits, improve biodiversity and reduce inputs.

At the same time, the range of management tools available continues to evolve, making professional knowledge and evidence-based decision making more important than ever.

How is the sector responding to changing environmental expectations?

The sector has made significant progress in recent years. There is growing interest in IPM, improved soil health, sustainable turf management and approaches that reduce environmental impact whilst maintaining high standards.

Many organisations are also looking at how they can support biodiversity and make their landscapes more resilient to changing weather patterns and environmental pressures.

What role does natural turf play in modern landscapes?

Natural turf delivers a wide range of benefits that are often overlooked. It contributes to cooling, carbon capture, water management, biodiversity and wellbeing, whilst providing attractive and functional spaces for communities, sport and recreation.

As discussions continue around sustainability and environmental performance, it is important that the benefits of well-managed natural turf are recognised and understood.

What do you hope to achieve as a Director of the Amenity Forum?

I would like to see the Forum continue to strengthen its role as a trusted and respected voice for the amenity sector. There is a real opportunity to bring people together, encourage collaboration and help ensure that policy, regulation and best practice are informed by practical experience.

I am particularly passionate about raising standards across the sector through high-quality training, professional development and the promotion of a common quality standard that gives confidence to customers, practitioners and policymakers alike.

I would also like to see greater recognition of the environmental value of natural green spaces. The increasing use of artificial grass in domestic properties is a worrying trend, as it can represent a permanent loss for nature, biodiversity and the many benefits that living landscapes provide.

The challenges facing the sector will continue to evolve, but by working together we can help ensure that those responsible for managing amenity spaces have access to the knowledge, support and professional networks they need to succeed.

The Board of Directors comprises representatives from a broad range of organisations and disciplines, reflecting the diversity of the amenity sector. Further profiles of Board members will be published over the coming months.

For further information about the Amenity Forum, visit: www.amenityforum.net

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

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More Action. More Machines. More Machinery Nation LIVE

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

More Action. More Machines. More Machinery Nation LIVE

One of the biggest crowd-pullers at GroundsFest is back for 2026, and it’s set to be louder, bigger and more action-packed than ever before.

More Action. More Machines. More Machinery Nation LIVE

Machinery Nation LIVE is back on 16 and 17 September at Stoneleigh Park with an expanded programme of demonstrations, challenges and interactive experiences that promise to be one of the biggest attractions at the show.

Throughout both days, visitors can experience an action-packed schedule featuring live machinery demonstrations, thrilling chainsaw relays involving some of the world’s leading brands, tractor and loader challenges, and an exciting ATV and UTV course. It’s the perfect opportunity to see the latest machinery performing in real working conditions while enjoying the energetic, entertaining presentation style that Machinery Nation has become renowned for.

Visitors will also have the chance to get up close to the latest equipment, speak to industry experts, compare machines side by side and even pick up exclusive giveaways from some of their favourite brands.

Christopher Bassett, Event Director of GroundsFest, said:

“Machinery Nation LIVE has been a huge success at GroundsFest over the past couple of years. It creates an incredible atmosphere and attracts huge crowds, combining genuine product demonstrations with entertainment that keeps visitors coming back.

“We’re delighted to welcome the team back for 2026. They’ve got even more planned this year, making it bigger, more exciting and packed with even more action. It’s another fantastic reason for visitors to register for GroundsFest.”

Machinery Nation’s engaging presenters will once again bring every demonstration to life, offering expert insight, honest opinions and plenty of entertainment as they put a wide range of machinery through its paces.

The return of Machinery Nation LIVE perfectly complements GroundsFest’s unique hands-on format, giving visitors the opportunity to not only watch equipment in action but also test machinery for themselves across the show’s extensive outdoor demonstration areas.

Alongside Machinery Nation LIVE, GroundsFest 2026 will feature more than 500 leading brands, free CPD-accredited education, the popular Lawn Mower Racing sponsored by Kramp UK, the live music festival, and a host of other interactive attractions.

With free entry, free parking and complimentary coach transfers from Leamington Spa railway station, GroundsFest continues to offer an unrivalled experience for professionals and volunteers working across the grounds management, landscaping, local authority, sports turf and amenity sectors.

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)

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

More Action. More Machines. More Machinery Nation LIVE

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

More Action. More Machines. More Machinery Nation LIVE

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

More Action. More Machines. More Machinery Nation LIVE

More Action. More Machines. More Machinery Nation LIVE

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