Tag Archive for: Directors

New GMA independent directors

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New GMA independent directors: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is excited to announce the appointment of six new independent members to its Board of Directors.

Deborah Cox, David Withers, John Coleman, Martyn Ward, Paul Hagon and Claire Waldron bring a wealth of expertise from across the turf, facilities and consultancy sectors. The appointments reaffirm the GMA’s mission of strengthening support for the grounds management industry and elevating standards.

New GMA independent directors

New GMA independent directors

Geoff Webb, GMA Chief Executive Officer said: “We are delighted to welcome an exceptional group of professionals to the GMA Board of Directors. Each new member brings a unique set of skills and extensive industry knowledge which will help the GMA to support and advance the grounds management industry.

“Their expertise will be instrumental as we continue to elevate standards across the industry such as our educational programmes and strengthen our support for members. I’m confident that their contributions will help us to not only tackle industry challenges but also to seize new opportunities for growth and development.”

Deborah Cox, Managing Director at Lagan Valley Scientific, leads on advising turf managers and agronomists globally. With 20 years of molecular biology experience, including a PhD from Queen’s University Belfast, she has worked on plant stress genetics and plant disease/pest diagnostics. Deborah will support the GMA’s education initiatives with her academic and industry expertise.

David Withers, Managing Director at ISEKI UK & Ireland, has been a turf industry leader since the 1980s and served 24 years at Jacobsen, including as President in North America. Since 2016 he has successfully led ISEKI UK’s sales & marketing for their innovative turf and electric vehicles. An industry thought leader, David brings valuable insight on future developments to the GMA Board.

John Coleman, Managing Director at Advanced Turf Technology Ltd, also founded the company, growing it into a multi-million-pound business whose designs are used by top global sports organisations. A named inventor on multiple patents, John’s expertise in product innovation and strategic growth will be instrumental in shaping the GMA’s future direction.

Martyn Ward, Partner at Ward and Hagon Management Consulting LLP, has 40 years of experience in sales, marketing and executive roles at companies like Foster’s Brewing Group, Alliance UniChem/Boots and SSL International where he was Regional Managing Director. Now co-leading Ward and Hagon, he helps small businesses grow. A strategic and collaborative leader, Martyn brings expertise in business growth and stakeholder relations to the GMA Board.

Paul Hagon, Partner at Ward and Hagon Management Consulting LLP, has nearly 40 years of experience in the grocery sector, with senior roles at Nestlé and Palmer & Harvey. He co-leads Ward and Hagon advising on strategies that drive growth and serves on the Board of Warpaint London. Paul looks forward to supporting GMA’s long-term success.

Claire Waldron, Senior Facilities Planning Manager at the Football Foundation, has extensive experience in sports and leisure consultancy, having held roles at Knight Kavanagh & Page and spent over four years at The Football Association. Currently Senior Facilities Planning Manager at the Football Foundation, she also serves as a non-executive director at Northumberland County FA, supporting grassroots football.

The GMA would also like to express its gratitude to Carol Doran, Adrian Kay and Dr. Peter Grant who will be stepping down from the Board. Their contributions have been invaluable, and the association thanks them for their service to the Board and the industry.

“We are incredibly grateful to Carol, Adrian and Peter for the invaluable contributions they have made to the GMA and the wider grounds management industry,” said Geoff.

“Their expertise and insights have played a vital role in shaping the direction of our association and driving our mission. On behalf of the GMA community, we extend our thanks and wish them every success.”

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New recruits join GMA Young Board of Directors

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New recruits join GMA Young Board of Directors: The GMA’s Young Board of Directors, sponsored by Reesink Turfcare, has recruited four new talented young grounds professionals to its ranks. The new additions will add fresh energy to the Young Board’s efforts to inspire the next generation of young people to join the sector.

Joining existing members are Meg Lay, Beth Gibbs, Liddy Ford and Jack Langley. Meg, who recently moved from Gloucestershire CC to Lord’s Cricket Ground, and Beth, who is part of Wellington School’s grounds team, join the Young Board fresh off the back of successes in the GMA Industry Awards 2023 where Meg won Newcomer of the Year and Beth won Young Groundsperson of the Year.

New recruits join GMA Young Board of Directors

New recruits join GMA Young Board of Directors

Liddy joins the Young Board with a background in horticulture as well as a BSc in sport and exercise science. Her current role is as a part of the grounds team at St George’s Park, the Football Association’s base for all 23 of England’s national football teams.

Jack joins having progressed from Assistant Grounds person to Deputy Head Grounds person at Ashton Gate Stadium, a multi-sport facility that acts as the home of Bristol City Football Club and Bristol Bears. The four new additions will use their varied backgrounds across sporting and educational facilities, and enthusiasm for grounds management, to represent the GMA in activity that aims to inspire young people to join the sector.

Work will begin with three of the new Board members, Meg, Liddy and Beth, representing the GMA as part of the all-female grounds team preparing the pitch at Emirates Stadium for Arsenal vs Tottenham in the Women’s Super League on Sunday 3 March 2024.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, is delighted to welcome the four new members to the Young Board:

“We established the Young Board of Directors in 2011 with the aim of encouraging more young people to consider careers in grounds management. Since then, a number of the founding members have gone on to achieve great things, including John Ledwidge, Head of Grounds and Landscapes at Manchester City FC, Ryan Golding, Head Groundsman at Leeds Rhinos, and Nick Phillips, Training Center Manager at Tottenham Hotspur FC.

“Beth, Meg, Liddy and Jack, bring fresh ideas and energy, and it’s clear that we’ve brought some exceptionally talented young professionals onto the existing team. We’re delighted to welcomethem all to the Board and are excited to see them contribute to our work on inspiring the next generation to join the sector.”

Gillian Haverson, Marketing & Communications Manager at Young Board sponsors, Reesink Turfcare said:

“Reesink is thrilled to offer its continued support for this great initiative and the excellent work done by the GMA Young Board of Directors. It’s always exciting to see women flourishing in this industry and we look forward to working with each of the new members. With this new injection of enthusiasm, we’re confident the GMA Young Board can only go from strength to strength.”

Beth, Liddy and Meg will all be in action as part of the trailblazing all-female grounds team preparing the pitch at Emirates Stadium for Arsenal vs Tottenham in the Women’s Super League on Sunday 3 March 2024, which will be free to view on the BBC.

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STRI Group appoints new directors

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STRI Group appoints new directors: Following a period of strong growth, STRI Group is delighted to announce the appointment of two new company directors to its board.

Gareth Walters and Dr Ruth Mann have been appointed as Finance Director and Director of Research from January 2021, with both continuing to manage their existing departments.

STRI Group appoints new directors

STRI Group appoints new directors

Gareth will lead the group finance function, ensuring that effective processes and controls are in place across STRI Group, and will work closely with the Board to drive through strategic growth.

Ruth will be instrumental in ensuring STRI remain at the forefront of innovation and technological developments in the sports infrastructure and environmental industries.

Ruth said: “It is very exciting to be involved with researching and developing future solutions to challenges in the sports turf and environmental industries. The range of national and international partnerships and projects STRI is currently involved with demands a wide range of technical expertise, and I am looking forward to supporting the continued expansion of services.”

“STRI Group has grown in recent years to become a multi-disciplinary solutions provider in the sport and environment markets with a global reach.” Gareth said. “With two key strategic acquisitions made last year, 2021 represents an exciting time for the Group and I look forward to joining the Board to support this continued growth.”

STRI chief executive officer, Mark Godfrey, said: “STRI has continued to expand at a rapid pace over the last twelve months and we felt that now was right time to expand our board. Ruth and Gareth have been important senior figures at the company for several years and are helping drive change and growth across new markets. I am delighted to welcome them to the board”

For more information contact:
STRI’s marketing and communications team on +44 (0)1274 565131 or email info@strigroup.com

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Campey Appoint New Directors

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Campey Appoint New Directors: Julia Campey has been appointed as the new managing director of Campey Turf Care Systems, with former MD, Richard Campey, taking the position of Chairman.

As part of the company restructure, John Campey and Lee Morgado have been appointed directors and Neil Armstrong, who joined Campey in 2010 as accounts manager will take up the position as company secretary.

Campey Appoint New Directors

Julia has been a key figure at Campey since 2004 and has been the sales and marketing coordinator for the last ten years. In this role, she has developed the corporate presence of the company throughout the UK, Europe and other parts of the globe, including the USA, Australia and Asia. She has organised exhibitions as well as educational tours for overseas visitors and provided invaluable support to the sales team in the pursuit of excellence in product development, sales and back-up services.

Richard is stepping aside from his previous role and handing over the day to day activities to his daughter, but he remains an integral part of the company, and he will still be involved in many sales and educational events.

Speaking about Julia’s appointment, Richard said: “I’ve had a lot of successful years at this company, and I’m very proud of what we have achieved. Julia has been a part of that success for many years and has extensive knowledge of our product range and the industry, and I’m very confident in her ability to take Campey forward.

He continued: “Lee has worked his way up through the company over 13-years and has a great understanding of how we operate and has a brilliant relationship with our customers and dealer, not just here in the UK, but throughout the world. Lee and John have been great assets to us, and I think both will use their practical experience to great effect in the boardroom.”

Lee, who started with Campey in 2006 in the workshops, has seen his role in the company grow and change direction over the years. He started life at Campey in the workshop and progressed to be a sales demonstrator before taking on numerous renovations across Europe and further afield before becoming product specialist for southern Europe and has also seen his sales area expanded to cover Denmark.

Along with John, Lee has a vast amount of experience from the field and both will work actively in the new structure to maintain the founding principles of the company, ensuring that Campey continues to innovate, educate and provide excellent customer service.

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