Tag Archive for: Growth

Bernhard Academy powers ongoing growth

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Bernhard Academy powers ongoing growth: The Bernhard Academy, a leading centre of expertise for turf care education, has reinforced its reputation with two highly successful training events welcoming turf professionals from across the country.

Established to advance both technical and management skills, the Academy plays a pivotal role in supporting the industry’s workforce and strengthening standards across all areas of golf and sports turf management.

Bernhard Academy powers ongoing growth

Bernhard Academy powers ongoing growth

On 23 September, the Academy hosted its flagship Turf Equipment Technicians Conference, endorsed by the Turf Equipment Technicians Organisation (TETO). 23 technicians gathered for a full day of focused training and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bernhard Company factory, gaining a unique insight into precision engineering in practice. The conference concluded with an inspiring session from James Breeze, who was recently selected to represent the Bernhard Academy as a volunteer technician at the 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, sharing his experience of international collaboration in elite tournament preparation.

The following day saw the return of the popular Cutting Unit Set-Up and Sharpening Techniques course. The sold-out programme provided hands-on learning in one of the most critical aspects of turf maintenance, giving participants practical takeaways to apply immediately within their roles.

Sami Strutt, Education Director for the Bernhard Academy, commented: “The Bernhard Academy is about more than sharpening skills. It’s about preparing people at every level of the turf industry to meet the challenges of modern turf management. Whether it’s hands-on technical training or leadership development in operations and management, we want every delegate to leave us with knowledge they can put into practice right away.”

While the Bernhard Academy is renowned for its technical training, it also delivers a wide range of management programmes covering areas such as personnel, operations, and budgeting. These courses are designed not only for technicians and greenkeepers, but also for club managers and key stakeholders within golf businesses who want to strengthen leadership, improve decision-making, and maximise the long-term success of their venues.

Following the overwhelming demand for the latest technical course, turf professionals and club leaders alike are encouraged to secure their places early on upcoming Academy programmes to avoid missing out. For more information on future courses and events, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk/courses.

The Bernhard Academy’s Education Director, Sami Strutt, also featured as a panellist at the 2025 Golf Business Expo. Strutt delivered a seminar for delegates about the challenges of attracting talented people to work in the golf industry, while also discussing the evolution of the Bernhard Academy.

To find out more about the Bernhard Academy, visit www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

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Greenleaf makes double appointment amid growth

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Greenleaf makes double appointment amid growth: phs Greenleaf has appointed two new business development managers as the interior and exterior planting business continues to grow across the UK.

Siobhan King joins the team as the new senior business development manager, alongside Debby Pickering who is the new business development manager and biophilic interior designer for phs Greenleaf.

Greenleaf makes double appointment amid growth

Greenleaf makes double appointment amid growth

phs Greenleaf has been providing expert planting and grounds maintenance services to businesses for over 25 years, including indoor and outdoor plants, artificial and live planting, living walls, hanging baskets, grounds maintenance and Christmas trees and decorations.

Siobhan has been in the landscaping business for 26 years and specialises in vertical greenery and living walls and pictures.

Debby is a qualified interior designer and ran her own office design business in South Africa for eight years before moving to the UK.

Speaking about phs Greenleaf, Siobhan said: “The commercial landscaping market can feel crowded but phs Greenleaf stands out. We take a vibrant and modern approach and have a reputation for our continuity of service and cost-effective solutions. We have the best talent in the market, and we have the power and robustness of the phs Group and Bidvest behind us.

“I’m looking forward to working with more businesses, particularly FMs, to help transform their commercial spaces with innovative and creative planting solutions that really work for them.”

Debby said: “The scope of work at Greenleaf is a really exciting opportunity. We work with the hospitality sector, retail, public buildings, leisure venues, commercial premises and more, and each design reflects that business’ needs.

“My passion is biophilia – bringing that innate connection to nature to life in a commercial space. People now understand the importance and the benefits that plants bring to our health and well-being and are embracing the concept of biophilia in their designs.

“With many businesses focused on getting more employees back to the office, creating a positive, healthy and uplifting working environment is key.”

Part of the phs Group, phs Greenleaf supplies over 8,000 customers right across the UK with full, high quality horticultural services.

Its 2025 range of pre-decorated and lit Christmas trees and accessories for businesses are available to view on its website now. phs Greenleaf also offers bespoke Christmas tree designs.

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Growth In GMA’s Training And Turf Care Advisory Services

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Growth In GMA’s Training And Turf Care Advisory Services: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has expanded its Technical and Learning department with two strategic appointments, boosting the support and expertise available to the sector through high-quality training and consultancy.

Bojan Jovanovic has been appointed as Learning Programme Lead, and Fiona Lyttle takes on the role of Turf Care Advisory Support Lead. Together, they bring extensive experience that will enhance the GMA’s educational and advisory services for both professionals and volunteers.

Growth In GMA’s Training And Turf Care Advisory Services

Growth In GMA’s Training And Turf Care Advisory Services

Bojan has worked closely with the GMA for over five years as an online tutor, supporting learners undertaking GMA qualifications. He brings a unique blend of educational and practical turf care expertise, having spent more than a decade teaching land-based qualifications at Further Education institutions. Earlier in his career, Bojan specialised in construction and maintenance of elite sports surfaces, contributing to high-profile projects across tennis, croquet, elite football and the London 2012 Olympic equestrian facilities.

Fiona brings a deep understanding of the sports turf industry, particularly in learning and development. Well known for her work with the Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC), which works closely with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) on education and training, she offers valuable educational insight and industry knowledge. Her appointment will support the continued growth and delivery of the GMA’s Turf Care Advisory (TCA) services.

The appointments mark a significant step in the GMA’s ongoing mission to provide high-quality training and consultancy, supporting the development of skills and standards across the entire industry.

Dan Prest, GMA Technical and Learning Manager, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Bojan and Fiona to the team. They both bring incredible industry knowledge and fresh perspectives that will help us grow our education and consultancy offer. Bojan’s background in both turf management and further education is a perfect fit for our evolving learning programmes. Fiona’s insight into training and development, along with her knowledge of the industry, will be so important in strengthening our Turf Care Advisory support. This is a real boost for the industry as a whole.”

Bojan Jovanovic, GMA Learning Programme Lead, said: “Having worked with the GMA for several years as a part-time tutor to many learners, I’m excited to step into this new role and help shape the learning journey for professionals and volunteers. Education is a vital part of raising standards in the sector, and I’m passionate about helping people succeed both on the ground and in the classroom.”

Fiona Lyttle, GMA Turf Care Advisory Support Lead, said: “I’m thrilled to join the GMA at a time when support and guidance are more important than ever. I’m looking forward to working on and developing the consultancy provision offered by the association and supporting those working across the breadth of the grounds management industry. It’s all about helping people feel confident and connected in their roles, allowing them to provide safe and fit for purpose playing surfaces.”

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GreenBest Explores Indo-Pacific Export Growth

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GreenBest Explores Indo-Pacific Export Growth: GreenBest recently participated in the Made in the UK, Sold to the Indo-Pacific event at Birmingham University, hosted by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Representing the company, Jeremy Johnson engaged in expert-led discussions and 1-2-1 meetings focused on expanding UK exports to key Indo-Pacific and Asia-Pacific markets.

The event featured a keynote address by Harjinder Kang, HM Trade Commissioner for South Asia, as well as panel discussions with experienced exporters who shared insights into successfully entering and growing within international markets. One of the key sessions explored the next steps for Indo-Pacific expansion, outlining government support available to UK businesses, international financing options, and strategies for accessing new opportunities in the region.

GreenBest Explores Indo-Pacific Export Growth

GreenBest Explores Indo-Pacific Export Growth

A dedicated session on Opportunities in India provided a deeper understanding of market potential, reinforcing the demand for high-quality products and solutions within the country’s rapidly developing industries.

Strengthening International Connections

As part of the event, Jeremy Johnson met with key trade representatives covering:

  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Vietnam
  • Korea
  • India & South Asia

These discussions highlighted promising opportunities for GreenBest’s export growth, particularly within the professional turf and horticulture sectors. Following the event, the company is arranging distributor meetings in Mumbai and Delhi, aligning with its upcoming participation in FutureScape Global 2025 in the UAE.

The event underscored the significant potential for UK businesses in the Indo-Pacific region, and GreenBest remains committed to expanding its global presence. The company looks forward to further engagement with international trade partners and participation in future DBT-led trade initiatives.

For more information about GreenBest’s international expansion or to discuss partnership opportunities, please contact sales@greenbest.co.uk or visit www.greenbest.co.uk.

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Attraxor®: The Key to Controlled Growth at Tonbridge School

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Attraxor®: The Key to Controlled Growth at Tonbridge School: At Tonbridge School, known for its widely regarded sports facilities, Danny Stunt has embraced practical and effective solutions to manage its extensive grounds. With multiple sports pitches and surfaces to maintain, the challenges are significant.

Since becoming Head of Grounds three years ago, Danny has focused on streamlining processes, with products like Attraxor® proving invaluable in addressing key issues such as excessive grass growth and Poa annua.

Attraxor®: The Key to Controlled Growth at Tonbridge School

Attraxor®: The Key to Controlled Growth at Tonbridge School

Supplied by Agrovista Amenity, Attraxor® has not only transformed the way Danny and his team manage turf but has also come with valuable guidance from Andrew Norman, a Technical Manager at Agrovista Amenity. “Andrew has been a brilliant help from the start,” Danny says. “I like that he has previously been a head greenkeeper and straight away, we had common ground. He understands what I’m up against and has always been there to offer advice.”

Danny’s journey into the industry was guided by his grandfather, who he worked alongside at a local golf club. “My grandad brought out my passion for the profession at a young age – he taught me all about high standards,” Danny recalls. This passion evolved into a career which started with greenkeeping until accepting a role as a mechanic at Tonbridge School in Kent.

It was a role he credits for honing his understanding of machinery’s role in grounds care. “That experience as a mechanic has been invaluable and has helped me in becoming a better all-round grounds manager,” he says.

Managing the grounds at Tonbridge School is no small feat. When Danny first took over, excessive growth and frequent mowing were significant challenges. “The team were cutting every day—it was relentless,” he explains. “We were spending hours mowing and collecting clippings, particularly on the cricket outfields.”

This all changed when Danny started using Attraxor®. The product, containing the active substance prohexadione, regulates turf growth by inhibiting the gibberellic acid pathway, reducing turf height and biomass while promoting root growth.

“With Attraxor®, I can spray it on a Friday, come back on Monday to cut, and there are virtually no clippings,” Danny says. “In the past, especially in spring after fertiliser applications, it was crazy trying to pick up all the clippings. Attraxor® has saved us so much time.”

One of the standout benefits of Attraxor® for Danny has been its exceptional control of Poa annua, an invasive grass species notorious for its seed production and unsightly appearance. “The second-team cricket pitch was riddled with Poa,” he shares. “After applying Attraxor, it was the best it had ever been—both in terms of clippings and Poa control.”

Danny admits he was initially sceptical. However, its performance quickly won him over. “I’m normally quite sceptical about product claims, but I’ve never known anything like it. The Poa just disappeared,” he says. “A couple of years ago, the cricket outfields in April or May would be grey, full of Poa seedheads. Not anymore, and that’s thanks to Attraxor.”

Attraxor®: The Key to Controlled Growth at Tonbridge School

Attraxor®: The Key to Controlled Growth at Tonbridge School

For Danny, the benefits of using Attraxor® extend beyond aesthetics. The reduction in mowing has led to significant time savings, reduced labour demands, and decreased wear on machinery.

This change has also positively impacted the school’s sustainability efforts. “The school committee were pleased to hear we’ve reduced emissions by cutting down on the amount of mowing,” Danny says. “When you look at the cost-benefit analysis—fuel savings, less machinery maintenance – Attraxor® is a no-brainer.”

Danny plans to continue exploring how Attraxor® can further streamline operations at Tonbridge School. “I may increase the rates in the future to see if I can reduce mowing even more,” he says.

Reflecting on his experience, Danny emphasises the control Attraxor® has given his team. “We are now dictating to the grass – the grass isn’t dictating to us anymore,” he says. “Gone are the days of running all over an outfield picking up clippings, much to the delight of the team.”

For Danny Stunt and Tonbridge School, Attraxor® has proven to be more than just a growth regulator – it’s a product that has delivered results while balancing efficiency and sustainability. With expert support from Agrovista Amenity and Andrew Norman’s understanding of the challenges faced by grounds managers, Danny has found a solution that works seamlessly for his team and the school’s prestigious grounds.

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

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