Forgive me, but I'm going to be shamelessly blowing our Service Dealer trumpet today, because it's that time of year again when we are full-steam ahead, diving headlong into our fantastic Conference & Awards that are taking place next Thursday.

Before I get to that though, I would just like to highlight a particular entry in today's Weekly Update worthy of your attention -  Jason Nettle's penultimate piece chronicling his ridiculous marathon year! Jason has now completed eleven of his twelve charity runs (eleven!) - with his final one just around the corner.

I spoke to Jason this week and he expressed to me just how grateful he is for all the support and encouragement he has been shown for his endeavours throughout this year - by friends, colleagues and peers across the industry. Dealer and manufacturer alike. He has smashed the fundraising target he set himself back in January, with his amazing total currently standing at an extraordinary £14,222!

However, as you might expect, in his inimitable Jason way, he is not prepared to let it rest there. Nor indeed is he allowing those who have promised to support him and who haven't yet done so, to get away with it! He says today, "Well, friends, the end is here! Now is the time to hit that button before my running shoes disintegrate completely.

If you’ve been waiting for the final countdown, this is it!"

So please, if you haven't donated yet, you can do so here. Obviously the charities are all amazing - but it also might be advisable to do so for your own sake, in case Jason catches up with you any time soon!

Also today, I'd like to point you in the direction of our freshly published Equip Digital Special Report. In association with the OPEI, our crack technical team (David and Rob) have put together an amazing resource that can act as a taster of just what the huge trade show based in Louisville, Kentucky can offer a visiting dealer from this side of the Atlantic. It's packed full of video content in which you can watch our UK contingent speak with U.S manufacturers, dealers, trade associations, and specialist trainers to take the temperature of the market over there. It's well worth having a browse through at your leisure. And do keep returning to it over the coming weeks as we shall be serialising a round-table, long-form discussion featuring our friends, Bob and Sara from dealer training specialists BCI.

2025 Conference & Awards

Which brings me to next week. Thursday at the Crown Plaza in Stratford Upon Avon is shaping up to be quite a special day. The Conference, as you've probably heard, is based around the theme of Resilience. Considering the concept for dealerships large and small, our line-up of expert speakers will be exploring what it takes not just to survive, but to thrive, in rapidly changing times.

There's a lot to get excited about. I'm fascinated to hear the keynote by comedian and corporate speaker, Stuart Goldsmith. Through his Comedian's Comedian podcast, Stuart has spoken to just about every top comic you can think of - and has learnt from them just what it takes to survive in a tough, often solitary, industry. I'm sure he'll be drawing parallels with our sector and illustrating how resilience plays out not just in business, but in life, mindset and culture.

Always fascinating are the Customer Insight sessions. This year we're joined by ex-BAGMA director Ian Beecher-Jones of JoJo's Vineyard and Jim McKensie MBE from Celtic Manor Resort. Both of these guys are at the top of their games and will be in regular contact with their local dealers. They know what they expect from their machinery suppliers and they will also appreciate just how important an on-going, interpersonal relationship is with their dealership contact. To hear from customers like these who rely on their local specialist to keep their businesses rolling, will be of great benefit.

We'll also hear from well-known industry stalwart Gary Whitney, who'll reflect on lessons learned across the sector and consider the network’s threats and opportunities. In addition, we have two ever-popular breakout sessions. Firstly Nick Elston will be exploring the topic of mental health in the workplace from the perspective of a lived experience, with heart and humour. Whilst Neil Wilkins is returning again after his session on A.I last year to consider how much the whole area has developed in the last 12 months and think about how dealers can integrate its usages into their everyday processes.

All of this is followed, of course, by a fantastic celebration of our incredible network in the Dealer Of The Year Awards. The winners will be announced Oscar-style on the night, with the party no doubt continuing on into the early hours!

Seriously, it seems to me - as someone who gets to turn up and experience the day alongside our dealer delegates - that there is plenty there to greatly anticipate. It's always a day packed with hard-working learning opportunities, but flavoured with a sense of camaraderie and good humour throughout.

The Service Dealer team is looking forward to welcoming all our delegates and sponsors next week (without whom, of course, the day would not be possible) for another cracking event.

See you there!

Service Dealer, in association with the OPEI, have published a Digital Special Report, chock full of videos offering a flavour of the world's largest trade show for the outdoor power equipment sector.

You can watch our UK contingent speak with U.S manufacturers, dealers, trade associations, and specialist trainers to take the temperature of the market across the pond.

Check it out today and keep returning over the coming weeks as we shall be serialising a round-table, long-form discussion featuring Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke, Pete McArthur from Strathbogie Forest & Garden and Bob Clements and Sara Hey from dealer training specialists BCI.

Jason Nettle, director of Winchester Garden Machinery, is this year undertaking the challenge of 12 marathons in 12 months for good causes. Here he updates us as he prepares to complete his year-long, "utterly stupid challenge"!

Hi everyone,

The reality is finally setting in: after this month, it is all over! I successfully completed the Remembrance Run alongside my brother Toby, bringing my total marathon count to eleven. That means there is just one more marathon to go in my ridiculous 12 Marathons in 12 Months challenge!

It has been an intense, painful, and often hilarious year. Over the last few months, I've had the pleasure of seeing so many of your faces - at dealer events, conferences, and celebrations. The topic of my runs always comes up, usually met with a mix of disbelief, sympathy, and the inevitable question of whether I've started enjoying it yet.

The support has been phenomenal! We've absolutely smashed our targets and raised an incredible, mind-blowing £14,192! It’s truly amazing.

However, I know there are plenty of you out there who have been playing the long game - the people who said, "I'll sponsor him next week," or "I'll do it nearer the end when he really needs the pain to count." Well, friends, the end is here! Now is the time to hit that button before my running shoes disintegrate completely.

The winter grind: This is not fun

With the finish line in sight, the weather has decided to wage its final, cruel war. It's gotten significantly colder, and I can assure you, trying to motivate myself to run for hours in this freezing, damp weather is absolutely not fun. Every training and mine has been limited to say the least, is now a battle against numb fingers, concrete-like legs, and the crushing desire to stay inside with a hot drink.

My final marathon will be dedicated to everyone who has followed this journey, and most importantly, to raising every last possible penny for Cancer Research UK, Prostate Cancer UK, Naomi House Children’s Hospice, and St. Michael's Hospice.

Let’s end this challenge with a massive, decisive push!

Last chance saloon! Time to sponsor the final mile!

I am about to run 26.2 more miles through potentially icy conditions. This is the last time you will have to sponsor me for this utterly stupid challenge!]

If you’ve been waiting for the final countdown, this is it! Help me make this last marathon the most impactful one yet and see how high we can get that total!

Please, hit that button and sponsor me today (before I change my mind about running Number 12!).

I'll be back soon with the details of the final, climactic run in December!

Sharing his experience during an upcoming John Deere Military Hiring Programme webinar on 3 December, former REME engineer Chris Giles says military personnel are ideally suited to build careers in the dealer network.

Chris Giles

Chris, now a technical communicator and certified dealer instructor at Tallis Amos Group’s Leominster depot, joined the dealership after leaving the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, where he worked on everything from quad bikes to heavy armour.

He says he first encountered the John Deere resettlement initiative at an open day and later joined TAG as a technician, progressing into a role where he now supports workshop teams across the network and trains new recruits.

“While the machines are different, the principles are the same,” he says. “The high level of readiness expected in the army translates directly into the dealership environment.”

Chris will speak at an upcoming webinar, which is aimed at service leavers considering a technician career. The programme links applicants with former military personnel already in the dealer network and provides online training before helping candidates find roles with John Deere dealers.

The free webinar takes place on 3 December at 7pm. Pre-registration is required.

STIGA has announce England Rugby player Tom Curry as their new brand ambassador.

Through this collaboration, the manufacturer says Tom will be working with them to " . .explore his growing passion for gardening and test a range of innovative products designed to help him create his own 'pitch-perfect lawn' at home."

Tom Curry said, “I’m delighted to be an ambassador for STIGA. The timing of this partnership is perfect as I’m currently in the process of moving house and looking forward to spending lots of time in my garden."

He continued, “I’ve always been passionate about recognising the importance of grassroots rugby - you need strong foundations to grow, achieve, and follow your dreams. That’s why this partnership with STIGA feels so natural. Just like rugby, great gardens start from the ground up.”

As part of STIGA’s wider partnership with England Rugby, the manufacturer says this collaboration with Tom reflects a shared commitment to supporting the game at every level - from grassroots clubs to the international stage.

James Gordon, managing director at STIGA, added, “We’re thrilled to welcome Tom to the STIGA family. His work ethic, reliability, and commitment to performance - both on and off the pitch - perfectly align with our values. Together, we’re championing growth, from grassroots clubs to home gardens, helping people nurture their own green spaces with pride.”

Avant Tecno recently brought technical engineers from all of its UK dealerships together for a unique opportunity at the company’s global headquarters in Ylöjärvi, Finland.

Over three intensive days, the group received exclusive training directly from the team behind Avant’s equipment.

Described by the company as far more than a standard factory tour, they say this was "a multi-dealership technical training programme designed to deepen product knowledge, strengthen aftersales expertise, and build lasting connections across the Avant network."

Throughout the visit, engineers gained insight into both the latest advancements coming out of the factory and the brand’s engineering heritage. Hands-on sessions enabled attendees to work closely with Avant’s expert trainers, share best practice, and learn alongside colleagues from across the UK and Ireland.

John Spencer, sales and marketing director for Avant Tecno UK, described the trip as an important investment in both people and partnerships. He said, “Our engineers are at the heart of the customer experience. This trip was all about giving them deeper, hands-on access to the machines and the people who build them.

"The shared learning, the conversations, and the relationships formed in Finland are just as valuable as the technical training itself. The knowledge they’ve brought back will directly enhance the support we offer customers across the UK and Ireland.”

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