Agrovista Amenity Welcomes New Amenity Specialist: Agrovista Amenity has strengthened its team with the appointment of Ben Simpson, who joins as Amenity Specialist supporting the Landscape and IVM division.

Ben brings a varied career background and a refreshed enthusiasm for the amenity sector.

Agrovista Amenity Welcomes New Amenity Specialist

Although a qualified plumber by trade, he previously spent three years with Green-Tech, where he first discovered his passion for the industry. After a period back “on the tools”, he found himself drawn once again to amenity – but this time in a role that better matched his strengths and ambitions.

“I enjoyed it the first-time round, but this role at Agrovista Amenity suited me a lot more,” he says. “I wanted to be out meeting customers face to face. This is a relationship-driven industry and that’s what gives me a buzz.”

Based centrally within his territory, Ben will support customers across a wide northern patch – from Leeds up to just above Newcastle, across to the East Coast, and as far west as the M6. His remit covers the full spectrum of amenity clients, including contractors, councils, landscaping businesses and maintenance teams.

Day to day, Ben will be out on the road meeting current and prospective customers, taking over an established base while also identifying new opportunities in the region. “I’m fortunate to be stepping into a well-looked-after area,” he explains. “But I’m also excited to grow it further. A typical week is a real mix: most days on the road and some from home planning and admin work – everything from cold leads through to ongoing account management.”

The appeal of Agrovista Amenity was immediate. Although the role was initially advertised via a recruiter, the company name quickly stood out once he reached the interview stage.

“I had obviously heard of Agrovista, but when I met Ed Smith – Landscape and IVM Manager, and learned more about the business, everything just seemed to fit. The interview was relaxed, the atmosphere was down to earth, and from day one I have felt part of the team. It feels like I’ve been here seven years, not seven days.”

Ben says the support network has been exceptional. After completing training in Nottingham and Warrington, he was introduced to the wider team and quickly found himself welcomed into a collaborative environment. “Even though you spend a lot of time on your own out on the road, I definitely feel part of a team. Every single person has offered help. It’s been brilliant.”

Looking ahead, Ben is eager to get stuck in and begin building long-term relationships across his territory.

“I’m competitive by nature – I used to play cricket to a decent standard before a shoulder injury stopped me – so I enjoy the challenge. But more than that, this industry is full of genuinely good people. Customers become friends. I’m really looking forward to growing those relationships and contributing to Agrovista’s continued success.”

Reflecting on his appointment, Ben admits the opportunity still feels a little surreal:

“I was over the moon when I got the job. Having been out of the industry for a little while, I honestly couldn’t believe it at first. But it’s been fantastic. I’ve settled in well, everyone has been so supportive, and I can’t wait to move forward with it.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https://amenity.agrovista.co.uk/

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Agrovista Amenity welcomes new Amenity Specialist: Agrovista Amenity has announced the appointment of Paul Matthew as its newest Amenity Specialist, bringing with him decades of hands-on experience across golf, sports turf, and stadium management.

Paul’s role will primarily focus on stadia and sports facilities, an area in which he has extensive expertise. “My role is going to be primarily stadia, just due to my background as a groundsman,” he explained. “There are so many stadiums, sports grounds and pitches across the country, and it’s something I’m very familiar with and passionate about.”

Agrovista Amenity welcomes new Amenity Specialist

Paul joins Agrovista Amenity following a distinguished career that began in greenkeeping before moving into high-level sports turf management. He started as an apprentice greenkeeper at Windyhill Golf Club in 1990, before progressing to Deputy Course Manager.

After a brief period as Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Hardgate Golf Club, Paul became a Golf Machinery Demonstrator for Scottish Grass Machinery – an experience that helped him gain valuable insight into turf equipment and product support.

He went on to spend over a decade working at some of the UK’s most recognised football clubs, including senior positions at Glasgow Rangers and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Head Groundsman at Motherwell FC. Paul also has experience in the sales sector, having served as Area Sales Manager at Nairn Brown, a leading machinery dealer, and most recently as Sales Advisor for North Grow Lighting.

Reflecting on his move to Agrovista Amenity, Paul said:

“I received a message from Sam Honeyborne, Agrovista UK’s Senior Amenity Manager, inviting me for a coffee in Edinburgh – and it turned out to be much more than a coffee! I was actually offered a position at Agrovista about four or five years ago, but I wasn’t ready to leave my role at Motherwell then. When the opportunity came around again, I met with Sam and John Marland (Head of Amenity), and after a really relaxed chat, I was delighted to be offered the job. I’m so thankful for that and want to repay the faith they’ve shown in me.”

Paul added that it already feels like a natural fit:

“You can tell straight away this is a company with a great support network – everyone’s been so welcoming. It’s a huge company with so much knowledge to tap into. I want to take all my experience from being a groundsman and combine it with the technical expertise that comes from being on this side of the industry. My goal is to be known as Paul from Agrovista, not just Paul the ex-groundsman – and to help customers get the best out of their surfaces with that blend of practical and technical knowledge.”

Paul will work closely alongside Ramsay MacGregor, Agrovista Amenity’s long-standing Amenity Specialist for Scotland. Speaking about the appointment, Ramsay said:

“We are delighted to have Paul starting with us. He brings a vast amount of industry experience, and his knowledge of stadia and golf is impressive. We’re really looking forward to working with him going forward.”

With his extensive practical background and passion for the turfcare industry, Paul’s appointment further strengthens Agrovista Amenity’s presence in Scotland and its continued commitment to providing expert support across all areas of the sports turf and amenity sector.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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

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