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EDITOR'S BLOG

TIME FOR EFFECTIVE COLLABORATIONS
Vital for our industry
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

I think it is about time many of our key industry organisations stopped working in isolation and began collaborating together to promote the industry nationally.

Collaboration is fast becoming a popular word being used by all manner of organisations. But what does this word really mean?

My understanding is that collaborative working means people or organisations working together to achieve a common goal.

It involves the sharing of knowledge, skills, and resources, supporting each other’s roles and responsibilities, making decisions collectively and communicating effectively to achieve something they could not achieve alone.

It is something that I have been talking about for several years that we need to address within our industry – in relations to areas such as pay and conditions, recruitment, promotion and shows.

One of the biggest problems in recent years for all businesses is recruitment. It is generally getting harder to recruit young people into our industry.

For me, the time has come for a collective approach to this problem. For far too many years now we have been working in isolation. Each industry organisation having been focusing on their own objectives.

A recent article we published which came from the GMA was in response to a piece I wrote earlier in the year about recruitment issues. I felt that the industry must finally come together to promote, change and deliver some core initiatives to help promote the industry, increase awareness of our skill base and set up new national career pathways for those wanting to come and work in our diverse industry.

In his reply, Geoff Webb spoke about the current work the GMA are doing to address this issue. He spoke about their NextGen team who are a group of passionate young professionals who are key to engaging the next generation. Formerly called the Young Board, the group is focused on attracting young talent to grounds management.

I believe all our industry associations – names such as BIGGA, BALI, RHS, BAGMA, BASIS, LANTRA, Fields in Trust, Green Flag and many others - are all in their own way trying their best to help improve and promote the values of our industry.

However, for me this is not enough. As mentioned in my article, I think it is about time many of our key industry organisations stopped working in isolation and began collaborating together to promote the industry nationally. I’d like to see them set up a nationwide campaign to go into every school and tell them about career opportunities - and then create a new pathway scheme to get into the industry. This could essentially be a new apprenticeship scheme that facilitates 5,000 apprentices a year for the next five years.

This would require working with all the UK colleges and universities and getting our hands on some of the government money they have set aside for apprenticeships.

I believe it is an opportunity that could be realised if the like-minded came together.

So I do find it encouraging that last week we published a news item regarding BIGGA, organisers of BTME, and GroundsFest announcing a new collaboration that they say is aimed at strengthening both events while bringing together professionals from across the grounds care, landscaping, and golf sectors.

In an official statement they said the partnership will see them working closely on joint initiatives throughout the year, including attending and supporting each other’s events, hosting tailored educational content, and working together on joint marketing campaigns.

It will be interesting to see just how this pans out and what the industry’s response to this announcement will be? I for one will be interested to hear what Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA thinks about this new collaboration and whether they will be seeking to join in with the initiative?

It does lead to me and many others to thinking how this could affect SALTEX?

For many years our industry has been blessed with two annual shows SALTEX and BTME in Harrogate. However, in recent years we have now seen the emergence of other shows - specifically GroundsFest that’s now into its third year at the Stonliegh Park site in Warwickshire.

I have for many years advocated for one national show, that offers both indoor and outdoor stand space. I remember when I was Pitchcare editor, David Saltman our MD tried very hard to bring together both the IOG (now GMA) and BIGGA to form one show way back in 2006. But alas both organisations at the time decided to keep their own shows.

Maybe this recent announcement may finally be the catalyst to help bring many of our other key organisations to work more closely together? With the aim to collectively solve the problems we are now facing regarding recruitment, retention and better pay and conditions - and crucially, finding a new career pathway into our industry.

I congratulate both Jim and Chris in initiative, which will no doubt help our industry greatly in the coming years.

NEWS

CONTINUE TO LEARN SCHOLARS REVEALED
Five participants

In our next WEB ONLY story the latest cohort represents golf clubs across the UK - from the west of England to the east of Scotland.

GMA STRESS SALTEX'S INDUSTRY REINVESTMENT
Funds ploughed back into sector, say show organisers

The GMA have released a statement reaffirming that every penny generated by the show is reinvested directly into the grounds management industry.

The organisers of SALTEX, the GMA, have released a statement reaffirming that every penny generated by the show is reinvested directly into the grounds management industry.

In an official statement, released in the wake of GroundsFest and BTME announcing a collaboration, the GMA said, "For nearly nine decades, SALTEX has existed with a singular purpose: to elevate and advance the profession of grounds management. As a not-for-profit, mission-led event, SALTEX reinvests every pound it generates back into the industry - supporting everyone from grassroots volunteers maintaining local pitches to elite professionals delivering world-class playing surfaces around the globe."

The statement continued, "Revenue from SALTEX 2024 has enabled the GMA to subsidise approximately 63% of its membership base, delivering essential support to both professional and volunteer grounds staff. Community and the brand-new free student memberships have benefited most, strengthening the GMA’s promise to nurture new talent and ensuring the highest standards of grounds care are applied across the country."

The statement went on to stress how the show supports the funding of their training work and how the GMA’s work to champion the sector wouldn’t be possible without SALTEX - citing the #GroundsWeek initiative as an example.

Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial, membership and events at the GMA, added, "Every exhibitor and every visitor helps us reinvest in the people who make sport possible, from the volunteers who keep local pitches playable to the professionals preparing world-class surfaces and green spaces."

SPRAYER COMPETITION OPEN FOR ENTRIES
Highlighting best practice and experience

Organisers say 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.

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.

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

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.

Entries to the ASOOTY Awards 2025 closes on Friday 12 September. The on-line entry form is available here.

NEW UK FACILITY ANNOUNCED
Significant expansion

Company says the development will strengthen operational capabilities and provide support and training for partners in their UK, Irish and European dealer network.

Baroness UK have announced a significant expansion to their UK facilities.

The company has said in direct response to their continued growth, the new 22,000sq foot facility will strengthen operational capabilities and provide enhanced support and training for partners in their UK, Irish and European dealer network.

The expanded facility, located in Basingstoke, becomes the third facility in the UK and marks a significant milestone for the brand as they seek to support their 18 dealers operating out of 46 sites throughout the UK, Ireland and across the EU. Baroness say the strategic investment allows them to streamline further machine imports, have a larger dedicated space for hands-on training and stock a wider range of spares and parts.

Adam Butler, Baroness UK director said, “As demand for our equipment continues to grow, it’s vital we are investing in the infrastructure that enables us to meet the needs of our dealers and end-users, not only in the UK but further afield.

"The new facility will support increased inventory and faster delivery but will also give us the space we need to run new and more frequent training programmes to ensure our dealers are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to deliver the exceptional quality and reliability that Baroness is known for."

Adam concluded, “We see this as a necessary step to elevate our operation to the next level. It’s not just growing our footprint, it’s strengthening all elements of our manufacturer/dealer relationship which will put us in the best position to provide unmatched support in every aspect of the ownership and service of a Baroness and AgriMetal product.”

VIRAL LANDSCAPER PAYS FACTORY A VISIT
And receives equipment donation

Kieran Wallace first gained widespread attention in January 2025, when he encountered business mentor and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Squibb - renowned for his viral videos.

Toro UK has recently welcomed Liverpool-based landscape contractor Kieran Wallace, founder of Swan Landscapes, to its manufacturing facility in Spellbrook, Hertfordshire, in recognition they say of his entrepreneurial spirit, charitable outlook and viral journey to business growth.

Kieran Wallace with Craig Hoare

Kieran first gained widespread attention in January 2025, when he encountered business mentor and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Squibb - renowned for his viral videos offering investment opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs. During their impromptu meeting, Simon invested £2,000 into Kieran’s gardening business after hearing his heartfelt pitch during a book signing.

Five months on, Simon and Kieran met once again in a follow-up video where Simon asked Kieran, “If there is a company listening that could sponsor the equipment for you, who would it be?” Kieran responded, “Toro - I will get all your tools and take them all around Liverpool, I’ll use them in every garden job.”

The video rapidly gained traction, reaching over 5.7 million views on TikTok and capturing the attention of the Toro UK team. Inspired by Kieran’s ambition and passion for his craft, Toro invited him to their Spellbrook facility.

During the visit, Kieran received a guided tour of the facility, insight into Toro and Hayter’s engineering and production processes, and was gifted a selection of professional landscaping tools to support the growth of his business.

Keiran trailing equipment with Craig

Craig Hoare, sales and marketing manager for UK and Ireland, said, “It was a pleasure to meet Kieran in person, hear his inspiring story and to then be able to offer our support by donating him the latest equipment. Toro has a long tradition of supporting community projects, and Kieran’s work presents the perfect opportunity to give back to both him and the people of Liverpool."

Following the factory tour, Kieran has been made an official Toro sponsor, being gifted a 53cm 60V Proline lawnmower, as well as Revolution Hedge Cutter, String Trimmer and Blower Cannon power tools - plus two 8.0Ah batteries, one 4.0Ah battery and two fast chargers, as well as a load of Toro professional wear.

Kieran added, “The experience has overwhelmed me, because I’ll be driving home buzzing, feeling empowered to keep going. I know what I can do, and I know anything is now possible. Thank you to Toro for this experience - I absolutely loved it.”

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