GMA Young Board

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR NURTURING SKILLS AND CAREER GROWTH

There are many career paths for a groundsperson. Founding and running your own business is one which Joe has successfully achieved. In his role as director at Manor Garden Services he oversees a team of ten gardeners, nurturing their skills and career growth. This is one of the reasons a role on the Young Board is so well suited to Joe.

"I've always had an interest in sport from a young age, as well as all things green," says Joe. "I worked for a grounds maintenance company on work experience and my passion grew from there. I then went on to work as an apprentice on a derelict golf course that unfortunately was never completed. The new owner was keen to retain the 18th hole as a formal lawn at the back of the house and the rest of the estate was returned to parkland and arable enterprise, so I went on to manage the garden team and lawns. After three years, I decided to go on my own and build up a garden and sports maintenance company."

So what does running your business include? "I run a team of 10 staff, managing large gardens and sports grounds. We work in large private estate gardens as well as contracting for local sports clubs and private pitches. My job entails team management and assisting with preparing the gardens and pitches. The hardest part is obviously adapting to the weather, but it's very rewarding to see the result of everyone's hard work and even more so when we get positive feedback from our clients."

"It's been really great to expand my knowledge with training. So far I've completed my NVQ level 2 in Environmental Conservation, RHS Level 2, GMA Cricket Groundsman course, GMA Football and Rugby course, LANTRA Tree Surveying course, PA 1, 2, 6AW and 9, plus Chainsaw CS30.31, LANTRA Sports Line Marking, First Aid and Health and Safety, and Team Management.

"I've also recently enrolled on the GMA level 3 Technical Turf Surface Management and I'd like to progress on to RHS level 3 and Soil Microbiology."