Tag Archive for: Leadership

Corrina Urquhart assumes permanent leadership at BASIS

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Corrina Urquhart assumes permanent leadership at BASIS: Corrina Urquhart, who has been serving as interim CEO of BASIS since November 2024, is now stepping into the permanent role of CEO, assuming responsibility for this training, certification and auditing body.

William Burgess, chairman of BASIS, commented : “With Corrina at the helm, BASIS has found the right leader at the right time. In a short span of time, she has provided stability and clear direction. Both I and the Board of Trustees are confident that she will develop a refreshed vision for BASIS and brings with her great energy to achieve this. We are all looking forward to working with her further to drive the business forward.’’

Corrina Urquhart assumes permanent leadership at BASIS

Corrina Urquhart assumes permanent leadership at BASIS

Before her appointment as CEO, Corrina was Director of External Relations at Lantra; a significant milestone of her 18-year career in education, research, and policy. Her accomplishments include spearheading industry-first initiatives including the annual Land-Based and Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards, a deep dive into diversity issues in the environmental sector and a comprehensive evaluation of advisory services within the agricultural industry.

In 2024, Corrina was recognised for her inspirational leadership skills as a finalist of the national Woman Who Achieves Awards.

Corrina Urquhart said: ‘’I am honoured to lead BASIS and its dedicated team into its next phase. Our focus will be on improving the organisation’s ability to positively impact on people and businesses in the land management, environmental, and amenity sectors.’’

She continued ‘’Under my leadership, BASIS will adopt a proactive approach to engagement. In January alone, I look forward to meeting with members and stakeholders at key industry events including the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), and the UK Lawncare Association Annual Conference, plus a site visit through the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA).’’

BASIS is an independent organisation committed to providing professional qualifications, membership schemes, and certification standards for the land management, environmental, and amenity sectors. It offers a range of recognised qualifications for professionals working in pesticides, fertilisers and related fields. BASIS also operates an annual audit scheme for UK pesticides stores and rodenticide outlets, ensuring operations minimise risk to people and the environment. Additionally, it manages the professional registers of more than 12,000 qualified advisers in the plant protection, plant nutrition and public health pest management sectors; while serving as a forum for industry bodies and stakeholders to uphold and promote professional standards..

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Bernhard Academy announces expansion of leadership team

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Bernhard Academy announces expansion of leadership team: The Bernhard Academy has today announced the expansion of its leadership team, with the appointment of Phil Helmn as full-time Programme Leader – Agronomy, Leadership, and Management.

Helmn’s new position will see him take control of delivery of all Bernhard Academy courses and workshops relating to Agronomy, Leadership, and Management subjects. He will work closely with the recently appointed Education Director for the Bernhard Academy, Sami Strutt, other programme leaders, and internal and external teams to ensure a coordinated and positive experience at the Bernhard Academy.

Bernhard Academy announces expansion of leadership team

Bernhard Academy announces expansion of leadership team

Helmn has more than 35 years of experience in the turf and agronomy industry, having worked for some of the biggest names in the business, managed full golf course construction projects, and also supported the Bernhard Academy previously as a speaker and workshop guest. Helmn is a GCSAA Class E – Educator member, and also a Master Greenkeeper – one of only a few worldwide – so is extremely well placed to work with Strutt to take the Bernhard Academy forward.

Speaking on his new role, Helmn said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Bernhard Academy and helping Sami to expand its operations. Since its inception, the Bernhard Academy has been making real progress and providing greenkeepers and turf professionals in the UK with superb tools to enhance their careers.

“Throughout the last year, the cutting unit setup workshops and management programmes that the Academy has delivered have been very successful. So, I’m excited to work with Sami and the wider team to continue developing and evolving the full programme of classes and workshops over the next few months.”

Strutt added: “Phil is a fantastic addition to the Bernhard Academy team. He is a Master Greenkeeper and highly regarded internationally within the turf industry, so his expertise will be a tremendous asset to the Bernhard Academy as we continue to evolve its offering.

“Since I started my role in the spring, it’s been great to see the commitment from everyone involved in the Bernhard Academy to enhance the careers of greenkeepers and sports turf professionals. We’re trying to provide something really positive for the turf industry, and Phil is sure to be a crucial part of that as we move forward.”

Strutt joined the Bernhard Academy as Education Director earlier this year having previously performed numerous roles in a 30-year tenure at BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association), most recently as the organisation’s chief operating officer.

During Helmn’s first few months, he will be in charge of identifying and developing a range of workshops relating to Agronomy, Leadership and Management subjects for the forthcoming Autumn/Winter season.

In addition to the appointment of Helmn, the Bernhard Academy is also recruiting for a second senior management position, as Programme Leader – Technical and Equipment Management. The successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing, adapting, and introducing programmes to deliver world-class learning and development opportunities to the industry in all subjects related to Technical training and Equipment Management.

To find out more about this additional recruitment opportunity, visit: https://bernhard.co.uk/careers/. Applications will close on June 7th, 2024.

To learn more about the Bernhard Academy and the courses, programmes, and workshops it offers across its locations at Haverhill (Suffolk), Moortown (Leeds), Norwich (Norfolk), and Gleneagles (Scotland), visit: https://bernhardacademy.co.uk/

You can also find the Bernhard Academy on Twitter at @BernhardAcademy or on Instagram at @bernhard_academy

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New leadership for John Chambers Wildflower Seed

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New leadership for John Chambers Wildflower Seed: The Wildflower seed brand of Green-tech, John Chambers Wildflower Seed, is entering its 11th year under new guidance.

With over a decade of experience at Green-tech, Roger McGivern has moved from managing a sales team to leading the John Chambers team through the next period of the brand’s development and growth.

New leadership for John Chambers Wildflower Seed

New leadership for John Chambers Wildflower Seed

John Chambers Business Manager Roger will be responsible for the overall performance of the brand, managing a trade and key account database, and delivering educational and training seminars as well as accredited CPDs to specifiers.  He will be supported by Georgia Gilbert, the John Chambers Technical manager, Jason Brits, the Production and Operations supervisor, and Emily Murray, the JC Wildflower technician.

Geen-tech’s Business Development Director Mark Wood comments, “I am delighted to welcome Roger to the team. He joins with in-depth knowledge of the product portfolio and a wealth of experience and has a mass of ideas on how to develop the brand in line with company strategy and goals. I am looking forward to working with Roger and the rest of the team as we enter the next chapter for John Chambers Wildflower Seed.”

Roger adds, “I am very happy to join the John Chambers team. My existing knowledge and expertise of the customer base, product portfolio, and systems mean I am starting in a strong position. The John Chambers Wildflower Seed brand has undergone phenomenal growth over the last decade, with sales increasing tenfold over this period.  I am joining at an exciting period in the brand’s development and growth, and I look forward to working with the dedicated and skilled team and introducing new ideas and initiatives.”

John Chambers Wildflower Seed has a 40-year history of supplying native British-produced wildflower seed and mixes to landscape and garden lovers across the UK. John Chambers is one of the leading authorities on native wildflower seed, distributing a comprehensive range of products that protect, enhance, and improve the landscape environment.

Mark Wood continues, “We have orders for some major infrastructure projects that are planned over the next five years for the John Chambers brand. Roger has an experienced and robust team behind him to deliver upon these. I’m looking forward to the next chapter for this brand.”

If you are interested in joining Green-tech and building a career within the landscaping industry, click the link below to check out their careers page with all current vacancies. https://www.green-tech.co.uk/about-us/careers

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AriensCo EMEAA – Leadership team complete

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AriensCo EMEAA – Leadership team complete: Just over a year ago, Jochen Schneider took over responsibility for the European, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Pacific region as Executive Vice President (EVP) EMEAA for the multi-brand company AriensCo.

Since then, intensive work has been done on the vision and organisational structure of the European AriensCo. With effect from 1 October 2022, the management team around Jochen Schneider is now complete.

AriensCo EMEAA - Leadership team complete

AriensCo EMEAA – Leadership team complete

“With immediate effect, we are setting out together with AriensCo to be the best partner for our dealers and customers in the core segments of high grass mowing, lawn care and snow clearance in EMEAA as well. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to fill many of the newly created management positions with existing employees from the production sites in Germany and England,” said Jochen Schneider as part oft he presentation of his management team.

Maria Lange takes up her new position as Vice President RapidCare EMEAA. She is responsible for technical support, order processing, logistics of spare parts and new equipment across all AriensCo product brands. Already well established in the US, Maria Lange intends to firmly install the RapidCare service brand in EMEAA as well. In order to be able to fully concentrate on this comprehensive task, she will hand over her management tasks at the Bühlertann location to EVP Jochen Schneider in the future.

Darren Spencer remains Managing Director at the UK site and also takes over responsibility for production at the sites in Germany and England as the Vice President of Plants with immediate effect. Darren Spencer has been part of the company for 32 years and has held various management positions at Great Haseley.

Stephen Kuester has been leading the engineering and product development teams in the UK for the past two years and will continue to lead this area as Vice President for Engineering and R&D for the entire EMEAA region with immediate effect. The engineer and product designer brings over 25 years of experience from various industrial sectors in leading positions.

The responsibilities of Georg-Otto Fuchs, Vice President Product Management & Marketing EMEAA, include the product and brand strategy for the entire region across all product brands as well as the AriensCo Academy. Previously Head of Marketing, Service and Product Management at AS-Motor he has been working successfully for the company for six years. In his new role he will work closely with sales and Brad Stiles, the Vice President Sales EMEAA. Brad Stiles has been active in this function since May 2022.

Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology

Mark Scavillo was appointed Senior Vice President Finance EMEAA in July this year. He is now also responsible for overseeing the Human Resources and IT functions within the business.
Tamara Hauenstein, who has been Head of Human Resources at the production site in Bühlertann for six years, now becomes Vice President Human Resources with immediate effect. The HR executive is a trained coach and trainer. Taking into account the AriensCo core values, Tamara Hauenstein will be responsible for the implementation of the HR strategy and measures derived from it for the EMEAA region in the future.

Wolfgang Fiedler, previously Head of Operations and IT at AS-Motor, is now responsible for the entire IT environment in the EMEAA region as Vice President Information Technology (IT). One of his tasks will be to unify the different systems at the various locations. His eleven years of experience at AS-Motor and previously at other companies in this field are an excellent basis to master this difficult task. The position of plant manager in Bühlertann is open and currently being advertised.

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Change in leadership for Reesink UK

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Change in leadership for Reesink UK: David Cole is leaving the role of Reesink UK’s managing director in April 2022.

David has passionately and successfully overseen the company’s turfcare, agriculture, used machinery and electric vehicles business since 2014, and had previously worked for the former Lely business between 1990-1999. The reasons for his departure are personal; he says: “There are no business reasons attached to this, only personal. The unexpected loss of my wife last year was a huge blow. And after seeing the business through some strange and challenging times and identifying clearer waters ahead, my desire now is to spend more time with and focus on my grandchildren.”

Change in leadership for Reesink UK

Change in leadership for Reesink UK

Leading the recruitment process alongside David is Roon Hylkema, divisional director of Reesink UK’s parent company, Royal Reesink. Roon comments: “Reesink UK is one of the UK’s leading turfcare distributors and has 38 years working with The Toro Company, as such the role of managing director presents an exciting opportunity for the right candidate.

“The company has history on its side, stability and longevity, but also exciting growth opportunities as we look to continue David’s good work diversifying our offering, introducing new brands and new product lines that compliment our core activities.”

Work will start shortly to identify David’s successor and to enable a handover period before next April.

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