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BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

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BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Jacobsen announce the delegates of the FTMI 2025 Future Turf Managers Initiative, a training programme to help talented greenkeeper candidates progress towards head greenkeeper and course manager roles.

FTMI is a hybrid programme of online and in-person education and mentoring. The 2025/2026 schedule begins with face-to-face training at Jacobsen HQ in Ipswich this September, followed by further sessions online during October, November and December. The course concludes with two and a half days of learning at BTME in Harrogate in January 2026.

BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

The initiative is designed to give the participants an insight into management skills that they will need as they progress through the ranks in their careers. Topics covered include presentation skills, communication, time management, interview skills, CV writing, stress awareness, budgeting and leadership.

The FTMI Class of 2025 includes the following greenkeepers:

Callum Atkinson – first assistant greenkeeper, The Wilmslow Golf Club

Tod Bannerman – senior greenkeeper, Taymouth Castle Golf Club

Patrick Brown – senior greenkeeper and spray technician, Fulwell Golf Club

George Edwards – deputy head greenkeeper, Walton Heath Golf Club

Alistair Hogg – senior greenkeeper, A&M Fife Golf Club

Alex Hudson – assistant greenkeeper, Sharpley Golf Club

Chris Keeler – deputy course manager, Prestbury Golf Club

Ronan Latham – senior greenkeeper, JCB Golf & Country Club

Toby Long – first assistant greenkeeper, Broadstone Golf Club

Carl Moore – deputy head greenkeeper, Kings Norton Golf Club

William Moore – assistant course manager, Kilworth Springs Golf Club

Euan Polson – first assistant greenkeeper, Royal Aberdeen Golf Club

Phillip Shields – first assistant greenkeeper, The Blackwood Golf Club

Greg Smith – first assistant greenkeeper, The Berkshire Golf Club

John Thornton – irrigation technician, Copt Heath Golf Club

Delegates are assigned to mentor groups throughout the programme. The mentors for this year are all previous FTMI graduates and are course managers Leigh Powell (Windlesham), James Parker (Machrihanish Dunes) and Ben Williams (Royal Cinque Ports).

BIGGA CEO, Jim Croxton, said: “It’s always a thrill to learn of the successful delegates for the Future Turf Managers Initiative as the developmental opportunities they receive and the chance to become an FTMI graduate can turbo-charge careers. I look forward keenly to seeing how the Class of 2025 develop and to meeting them all at Jacobsen HQ in September.

We remain hugely grateful to Textron for supporting this amazing initiative for BIGGA members”.

Nicole Burn, Brand Marketing Director at Jacobsen, said: “We’re proud to support the Future Turf Managers Initiative in partnership with BIGGA. Investing in the development of future leaders in turf management is essential to the growth and sustainability of our industry, and we’re honoured to play a role in that journey”.

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Mark Andrews appointed Managing Director of Landscapes

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Mark Andrews appointed Managing Director of Landscapes: Origin Enterprises plc (‘Origin’ or ‘the Group’), the international group championing sustainable land use solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Mark Andrews as Managing Director of Landscapes, a newly created role within the Group’s Living Landscapes division.

Mark assumes overall responsibility for Origin’s Landscapes businesses, currently comprising four companies: Green-tech, Suregreen, British Hardwood Tree Nursery and Groundtrax. He will lead the design and delivery of the Landscapes strategy, drive operational performance, and play a central role in supporting both organic growth and M&A activities.

Mark Andrews appointed Managing Director of Landscapes

Mark Andrews appointed Managing Director of Landscapes

This appointment marks a significant step in strengthening the Group’s management depth, ensuring the Living Landscapes division is well positioned to deliver on its long-term strategic objectives and growth ambitions.

Mark has over 20 years of commercial and operational leadership experience across the sector, with a strong track record in value creation, team leadership, and developing best-in-class commercial capabilities in commoditised and competitive businesses. His career spans roles in the UK, North America and EMEA, including senior leadership positions at Saint Gobain/British Gypsum, Knauf Insulation, BMI Group, and most recently, Aliaxis Group where he served as VP UK and Ireland.

Origin is confident that Mark’s appointment will bring additional expertise, insight, and momentum to the Group’s Landscapes sector as it enters its next phase of development and growth.

TJ Kelly, Managing Director, Living Landscapes, commented: “Mark is an excellent addition to Origin and our Living Landscapes leadership team. His deep sector knowledge and proven global leadership experience will be instrumental in shaping and delivering our Landscapes strategy. This appointment reflects our ambition to scale our presence in the Sports, Environmental, and Landscapes sectors.”

Mark Andrews, Managing Director of Landscapes, commented: “I am excited to be joining Origin at a strategically important time for the Living Landscapes division. Leading the Landscapes portfolio presents the opportunity to drive organic growth, expand our capabilities and unlock new opportunities, underpinned by a shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and delivering value to Origin’s customers and other stakeholders.”

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Doing more than a fraction of the job

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Doing more than a fraction of the job: Aerators play the central role in creating a balanced water management programme and Otterbine’s Fractional Series is now even more efficient and easy to use.

Otterbine’s Fractional Series offers the most productive, cost-effective way of ensuring the water quality of small and mid-sized ponds regardless of the weather. And when the weather conditions are already, and look set to continue being, the warmest in 70 years, it’s important not to fall foul to doing nothing – reparative maintenance is not the cheap or easy option.

Doing more than a fraction of the job

Doing more than a fraction of the job

Robert Jackson, Division Manager for Reesink Hydro-Scapes, UK distributor for Otterbine aerators, says: “So far this year, the conditions are perfect for creating water problems in ponds and lakes. The weather is warm enough and consistent enough to cause significant problems.”

Why is aeration needed?

The sun exacerbates thermal stratification, water stagnation and oxygen depletion – creating the perfect environment for algae and anaerobic bacteria. This proliferation may endanger the pond ecosystem while also leading to unpleasant smells and aesthetics that put off visitors and increase maintenance costs.

Whether you’re managing ponds in a holiday park, a golf course or a private estate, a proactive approach to water quality is the most effective way to minimise the need for reparative maintenance in the long run.

That’s where the Fractional comes in

The Otterbine Fractional Series delivers the perfect solution for ponds less than three quarters of an acre in size. With the ability to transfer 1kg (2.2 lbs) of oxygen per horsepower per hour and pump 115m³ of water per hour, they will significantly improve water circulation and oxygenation.

Using aeration, it is possible to prevent high-maintenance conditions like algal bloom and thermal stratification and ensure a thriving ecosystem.

Boasting a cost-effective design and the highest performance rate in the class, Otterbine’s Fractional Series comes complete with a manufacturer certified control panel to protect the unit, and the ability to switch between five interchangeable spray pattern configurations.

But the Fractional Series isn’t just about utility: it also provides four visually striking configuration options – plus a horizontal circulator – with different heights, diameters and patterns that can elevate the aesthetics of any pond. And for an even greater visual impact, LED and RGBW colour-changing lights can be added to create a kaleidoscopic effect that will make your water features stand out, day or night.

Rob concludes: “Offering a cost-effective alternative to large-scale aerators, the Fractional Series aerators are quick to install, easy to maintain and designed for long-term durability. They are also backed by our national network of contractors, dealers and installers, providing expert support and guidance whenever needed.”

For protecting ponds, creating scenic water features, or safeguarding the biodiversity of the site, the Otterbine Fractional Series is the smart, simple solution for cleaner, healthier water. Want to learn more? Call 01480 226800 to speak with an expert or visit reesink-hydroscapes.co.uk.

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Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

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Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries: The search is on to recognise the UK’s most professional sprayer operators in the sports turf, amenity and landscape management industries.

The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) Awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

The Amenity Forum competition, supported by ICL and Syngenta, seeks to share guidance and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

You could be a lawncare professional in Essex, working on a golf course from Glasgow to Perranporth, treating roadsides or railways in York, or spraying grounds in Cardiff – all are welcome to apply

The Awards’ finalists will be announced at the Amenity Forum Conference in October, with the overall winner presented at the prestigious BIGGA Awards ceremony at BTME in January 2026.

Amenity businesses and sports turf managers are urged to actively encourage their sprayer operators to enter the awards this year.

All ASOOTY applicants will also be entered into a competition to win one of five Syngenta Sprayer Calibration & Application Kits.

Along with assessing operators’ skills of spray application and use of products, the ASOOTY judging panel also now incorporate the importance of an integrated turf management (ITM) approach to any issues involving turf and landscape maintenance.

Announcing the opening of the ASOOTY 2025 Awards, Amenity Forum Chairman, Ian Graham, announced: “This competition seeks to highlight the remarkable talent that exists within our sector, and I encourage as many spray operators as possible to engage with the process.

“Our industry has many highly skilled spray operators working within it, using a diverse range of products accurately applied through a huge range of complex application equipment. Past winners have ably demonstrated the professional approach to meeting  these challenges.”

Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes, highlighted: “The skills of sprayer operators to make efficient, effective and above all safe applications is essential for the future sustainability of the amenity and turf care industry.

“The ASOOTY awards are a welcome way to recognise and reward the leading individuals and to learn from their experience,” he says.

Last year’s winner, Peter Pattenden, professional spray technician at Carden Park Golf Resort in, Cheshire encourages all sprayer operators to get involved and enter the ASOOTY Awards. Even at a relatively young age, his understanding of the spraying process and exemplary commitment to achieving consistent accuracy was evident.

ICL Landscape & Industrial Business Manager, Lewis Blois, added: “We are delighted to support such an important cross-sector industry initiative, with a continued commitment to raise standards and improve results.

“Importantly it provides a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application across the amenity sector,” he points out.

The entry process aims to test sprayer operators’ broader knowledge of issues and solutions faced across the amenity sector through an initial on-line question form, including questions to assess an individual’s experience and approach to dealing with challenges.

It’s seeking to find operators that can make those important proactive decisions with every application

Entries to the ASOOTY Awards 2025 closes on Friday 12 September. The on-line entry form is available at:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DB9LCNS

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First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

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First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia: The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group bowled over students at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday 27 June, as the Schools Into Stadia initiative delivered its first ever cricket-focused edition.

Local school students were offered a rare behind the scenes look at one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues, whilst getting a hands-on introduction to the world of grounds management – a profession that plays a vital yet often overlooked role in sport.

First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

The students got stuck in with practical activities led by the Lord’s grounds team, learning how to prepare a pitch and apply turf care techniques used at the highest level of the game.

They also had the unique opportunity to hear from industry professionals about their career journeys, gaining real insight into the skills and science that make sport possible.

Jack Langley, GMA NextGen Co-Chair, said: “Giving people an opportunity to come into professional venues in the first place is key. It’s great to show off what we’re doing and show the students that this career is a great opportunity.

“It’s second to none being outside, working outdoors, meeting people, learning science of the grass.”

The Schools Into Stadia initiative, supported by GMA NextGen sponsor Reesink UK, has now reached students at top-tier venues including Wimbledon’s All England Club, Anfield Stadium, Goodison Park and Ashton Gate.

Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chair and Groundsperson at Lord’s, said: “If you want to be out in the middle of an iconic venue like Lord’s or the Emirates, Anfield, Wembley, wherever it may be, there’s only a few ways you can do that – one of those is playing, you might be a coach, or you’re cutting the grass.

“We’re bumping shoulders with some of the biggest athletes in the world every day and it’s one of the only ways you can do it.”

With under 35 representation now on the rise in grounds management, initiatives like this are helping to future-proof the industry, making sure young people know that careers in grounds management are not only possible, but exciting and vital to sport at every level.

Gillian Haverson, Marketing & Communications Manager at Reesink UK, said: “The fact the students have been able to walk out onto the playing surface and see the place where in two weeks’ time, England will play a test match, is incredible. They’ve been able to do the pitch tests themselves, and I think that practical element is crucial for young people because they really get something out of that. It gets them thinking what the role of a groundsperson actually entails so it’s been very valuable.”

To find out more about the GMA NextGen group, visit thegma.org.uk/nextgen.

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