Tag Archive for: Award

Jon Cole wins Toro’s Green Blazer Award

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Jon Cole wins Toro’s Green Blazer Award: Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager for Reesink Turfcare, exclusive distributor for Toro commercial machinery in the UK, has been named the recipient of the Toro Green Blazer Award for 2025.

This isn’t ordinary Toro attire, a green blazer has to be earned. The award for Toro Equipment Sales is presented during the company’s annual worldwide distributor business meeting, which is held in conjunction with the GCSAA show in America, and recognises individuals who are contributing to the industry, demonstrating leadership and showing commitment to customers and customer relationships, all with commercial success.

Jon Cole wins Toro's Green Blazer Award

Jon Cole wins Toro’s Green Blazer Award

Greg Lawrence, General Manager of the International Division of The Toro Company, who presented the award to Jon, says: “Throughout his career, Jon has demonstrated unwavering commitment to customers, colleagues, and the Toro brand.

“He played a pivotal role in securing the landmark ten-year Total Solutions partnership with The Grove. Working closely with Toro, he helped develop a partnership proposition that extended well beyond equipment, including residual value strategies, customer engagement initiatives, education programmes, and the use of The Grove as a flagship showcase venue. These combined efforts overcame strong competition and secured long-term success.”

The Toro Green Blazer Award is presented to a member of the Toro channel who has demonstrated excellence and achievement in selling Toro commercial equipment. It is awarded just once a year and represents a high level of performance, customer impact, and outstanding accomplishment.

Alastair Rowell, Managing Director of Reesink UK, says: “Jon’s career began with John Shaw Machinery in 2007 and progressed through Reesink following its acquisition in 2014, ultimately becoming Divisional Business Manager in 2022. A natural leader, Jon keeps teams aligned and informed, ensuring confidence across the sales organisation.

“It is an honour for this award to come to the EMEA and to win is a great achievement, not only for Jon personally but also for Reesink UK as a company. I have worked with Jon for many years and to see his hard work recognised on this level is fantastic. He deserves huge congratulations.”

The award also shows recognition to the top level of Commercial Equipment sales and development of new business opportunities. For Jon, “it was a surprise and an honour to have my name read out at Toro’s distributor awards during the GCSAA show in Orlando. I’m extremely proud to have received this recognition from Toro and although it is an individual award, it is in my eyes more of a reflection on the effort and dedication shown by the whole team at Reesink UK.”

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GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award

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GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award: GroundsFest has been recognised for its exceptional contribution to the groundscare and landscaping industry, having won the Industry Impact Award at the EN Indy Awards.

The Industry Impact Award celebrates an exhibition or trade show that has demonstrably changed, influenced, or significantly contributed to the growth and advancement of the industry it serves – and in just three years, GroundsFest has done exactly that.

GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award

GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award

Since its launch, GroundsFest has grown into the UK’s largest industry event, uniting professionals and volunteers from every corner of the groundscare and landscaping sectors. From live machinery demonstrations and hands-on experiences to its unique combination of business, education, and entertainment, the event has created something truly special for the industry.

The judges praised GroundsFest for its genuine connection to its audience and the positive change it continues to deliver. Feedback included:

“The event really has its ‘roots’ in its target audience and is making a significant impact on the industry.”

“Support for their audience extends beyond the focus of business needs. The GroundsFest Academy is a great initiative, which shows a forward-thinking strategy of impacting the next generation.”

“This event clearly demonstrates support for its community. Measurable impact delivered and fantastic feedback received.”

Judges were particularly impressed by the fact that profits from the show are reinvested back into the industry.

That commitment is brought to life through the GroundsFest Academy, an educational initiative designed to give back to the industry by providing free training and development opportunities for professionals and volunteers alike. The Academy offers hands-on workshops, expert-led seminars, and interactive demonstrations.

“It’s great to see we’re making a difference,” said Christopher Bassett, Event Director of GroundsFest. “When we launched the show, we wanted to create something that genuinely supported the industry – not just for today, but for the future. GroundsFest, and the Academy, are about helping to put the industry on the map, providing opportunities for learning, and inspiring the next generation of professionals to come through.”

This latest recognition cements GroundsFest’s reputation as an event that not only celebrates the industry but actively helps it grow. With a firm focus on community, education, and long-term progress, GroundsFest continues to make a lasting impact.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfestacademy.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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Syngenta Operation Pollinator Award open for entries

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Syngenta Operation Pollinator Award open for entries: The Syngenta Operation Pollinator Award 2026 is open for entries.

The Award  seeks to reward golf clubs and other sport facilities proactively creating areas for all pollinator insects, along with managing other ecology initiatives that enhance the biodiversity alongside playing surfaces.

Syngenta Operation Pollinator Award open for entries

Syngenta Operation Pollinator Award open for entries

There are no Golf Environment Awards taking place for 2026, so the Syngenta Operation Pollinator Award will be presented at the prestigious BIGGA Awards Evening at BTME, Harrogate in January.

ENTER HERE

The Award, open for UK golf clubs and sport facilities, is being managed by the STRI and judged by an independent industry panel, including the Wildlife Trust, BIGGA and last year’s Operation Pollinator Award winner, Melissa Winkworth of Goring & Streatley Golf Club.

Entry is a simple on-line questionnaire and sending in photos, detailing what you do, what has been seen and how it is communicated with players and the public, along with how ecology initiatives fit with the overall turf management. A short-list of finalists will be contacted for a discussion with leading STRI ecologist, Stella Rixon.

She advocates the Operation Pollinator Award provides a great opportunity for greenkeepers and the golf industry to showcase the immense ecological resource that has been created.

“It’s a good news story for you, your team and your club,” adds Stella.

Syngenta Turf Business Manager, Sarah Hughes, highlights with all the golf clubs actively signed-up and engaged in the initiative Operation Pollinator has been shown to have a place on every course.

“Together, the clubs involved with Operation Pollinator have created a vast network of habitats for pollinating insects and wider biodiversity in well managed habitats, alongside managing turf for golf and sport,” she says.

“Using Operation Pollinator to learn from each other’s experiences and share best practices for both habitat management and communicating with clubs and players is a huge benefit, and a great way for the industry to demonstrate the value of golf as a positive ecological resource.

“We urge all clubs to get involved; sign-up now and enter for the Operation Pollinator Award.”

Operation Pollinator aims to support golf clubs and sports facilities to establish and manage areas that will provide essential food resources and nesting habitat for pollinators, including native bees, butterflies and other insects.

The initiative brings together a community of turf managers to help each other and share their successes and experience, along with demonstrating the immense ecological value of managed amenity turf areas.

Entries for Operation Pollinator Award 2026 close on Friday 21st November.

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STIGA Wins Innovation Award at GroundsFest 2025

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STIGA Wins Innovation Award at GroundsFest 2025: The STIGA team is proud to announce that their Large Format Robot has been awarded the Innovation Award for Best Grass Cutting Equipment at GroundsFest 2025.

Designed for managing very large areas with efficiency and precision, the Large Format Robot combines advanced robotics with sustainable technology. Equipped with a full suite of object detection and proximity sensors, an integrated camera, and unlimited operational capacity, the robot sets a new standard for professional turf management.

STIGA Wins Innovation Award at GroundsFest 2025

STIGA Wins Innovation Award at GroundsFest 2025

Commenting on the award, Amanda Kincaid, UK Marketing Manager for STIGA, said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have received the Innovation Award for Best Grass Cutting Equipment at GroundsFest. Gardening is evolving rapidly—it’s no longer just about tools, but about creating smart, sustainable solutions that adapt to every need. At GroundsFest 2025, we showcased our vision for the future with groundbreaking robotics, forward-thinking innovation, and exciting new products.”

She added: “Stepping into the professional segment is a natural progression for us—a clear expression of both our ambition and our commitment to shaping the outdoor spaces of tomorrow.”

This milestone marks STIGA’s official entry into the professional market, building on the brand’s 90+ years of expertise and leadership in the transition to electric solutions for gardening. At GroundsFest, visitors experienced live demonstrations of STIGA’s professional innovations, including the award-winning Large Format Robot, the all-electric STIGA ePark Pro front mower, and the new ePowerBattery Pro.

Looking ahead, STIGA reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable gardening through robotics and battery technology. Visitors were also given a preview of next-generation solutions currently in development, including new autonomous and battery-powered mowers powered by the ePowerPro system, set to launch in 2026.

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Bionema Receives the King’s Award

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Bionema Receives the King’s Award: Bionema Group Ltd., a pioneering UK biocontrol technology company, has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise – Innovation 2024, recognising its world-leading innovations in sustainable crop protection and soil regeneration.

The prestigious award was formally presented by Mrs. Louise Fleet CStJ, JP, His Majesty The King’s Lord-Lieutenant for West Glamorgan, acting as the personal representative of His Majesty King Charles III, during a grand ceremony held on 15 May 2025 at The Guildhall, Swansea.

Bionema Receives the King’s Aaward

Bionema Receives the King’s Aaward

“This once-in-a-lifetime honour highlights the global impact of Bionema’s nature-based innovations,” said Dr. Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema. “We are proud to lead a movement away from harmful chemicals and toward a more regenerative, sustainable future in farming.

Why Bionema Was Selected

  • Innovative Technology: Patented NemaTrident®, a tri-component nematode-based bioinsecticide system with a biocompatible wetting agent—acquired by Syngenta in 2021.
  • Environmental Impact: Zero residue, safe for non-target species, and free from pesticide resistance, supporting biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
  • Commercial Growth: 1,882% export growth, 105% increase in total sales, and 62% of turnover driven by innovation.
  • Customer Success Model: Integrated technical training and support to ensure optimal field performance.
  • ESG Leadership: Proven alignment with sustainability goals and environmental stewardship.

Royal Recognition at Windsor Castle

In July 2024, Dr. Ansari was invited to Windsor Castle, where he met His Majesty The King and shared insights into Bionema’s microbial innovations. This rare honour underscored the national significance of Bionema’s leadership in advancing nature-based crop protection.

Award Celebration – The Guildhall, Swansea | 15 May 2025

The formal award ceremony gathered over 70 distinguished guests, including:

Mrs. Louise Fleet CStJ, JP – HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan.

Mrs. Diana Stroia, High Sheriff of West Glamorgan, and Mr. Dave Matthews.

Cllr. Paxton Hood-Williams, Lord Mayor of Swansea, and Lady Mayoress Patricia Hood-Williams.

Cllr. Wayne Carpenter, Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, and Mayoress Carol Carpenter.

Prof. David Smith, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University.

Representatives from Swansea University, Innovate UK, UK Agri-Tech Centres, and regional leaders in science, government, and business

Keynote speakers:

Prof. Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, Chairman of Bionema

Dr. Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO

Stephen Ford, Chief Technology Officer

“This is a proud day for UK science and sustainability,” added Stephen Ford, Bionema’s CTO.

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