Leading from experience

19 December 2025 . minute read

Alastair Black on shaping the future of technical training at Reesink

At the heart of Reesink’s commitment to excellence is its technical and training department – the driving force behind customer support, service innovation and developing the next generation of turfcare engineers.

Leading that team is Alastair Black, who has embodied the Reesink ethos for nearly a decade: blending technical expertise, customer care and a focus on bridging the industry’s skills gap.

Alastair Black, Reesink’s new Technical Support and Training Manager.

Today, as Reesink’s new Technical Support and Training Manager, he oversees a growing network of engineers, dealer partners, and apprentices, ensuring every customer receives the world-class technical support Reesink is known for.

A comprehensive understanding of the industry

Over the years, Alastair’s journey has seen him take on roles across technical support, field engineering and training – giving him a broad, 360-degree perspective on how customers use and maintain turfcare equipment.

My career has been shaped by a lifetime of experience in mechanical and technical roles, beginning with my apprenticeship as a toolmaker. Every step has helped me understand what customers really need: reliability, expertise and trust.

Supporting champions

Few experiences define Alastair’s career like his long-standing relationship with St Andrews Links Trust and his work supporting The Open Championship. Since 2017, he’s been part of a
small, highly skilled team ensuring Toro machinery performs flawlessly during the UK’s most demanding golf tournaments.

The Open is a highlight every year. There’s no margin for error – every piece of machinery must perform perfectly, and our support team has to be ready for anything. It’s high-pressure, but incredibly rewarding.

Those events showcase the very best of Reesink’s partnership with customers – a combination of precision, preparation and teamwork that underpins the company’s reputation in the professional turfcare world.

Turfcare training for young greenkeepers

Training the next generation

One of Alastair’s biggest passions is training and developing new talent. He’s leading initiatives designed to attract, train and retain skilled engineers at a time when the industry faces a significant skills shortage.

Through Reesink’s comprehensive training programmes, covering everything from Toro machinery maintenance to emerging technologies, Alastair is helping to build a sustainable future for turfcare. A key part of this strategy is the development of a new, purpose-built training school in St Neots designed from the ground up to foster practical skills.

The new school is all about very hands-on training. We want people in the workshop, learning skills on the machines themselves. It’s about giving them a safe environment to learn, where they can experience things first-hand and gain real-world confidence.

“We’re tackling the skills gap head-on,” he continues. “That means inspiring young people to see turfcare as a career, not just a job. We want to equip them with technical skills, but also the confidence and pride that come with being part of something that keeps the industry moving.”

Reesink’s approach combines traditional apprenticeship routes with advanced technical training and mentoring. The result is a pipeline of skilled, motivated engineers ready to support customers nationwide.

Keeping pace with innovation

From autonomous fairway mowers to connected diagnostic tools, the pace of innovation in turfcare is accelerating.

Technology is moving fast, and our role is to ensure engineers are ready for it. Robotic mowers, AI, data-driven maintenance… these are no longer future concepts, they’re here now. Training must evolve just as quickly.

Reesink is always investing in tools, systems and education to keep both staff and customers ahead of the curve. That commitment ensures every Reesink technician can deliver the service levels expected from the UK’s leading turfcare distributor.

A people-first focus

Ask Alastair what drives him, and the answer is simple: people.

It’s always been about the people – our engineers, our customers, our apprentices. Machinery will change, technology will change, but people remain at the heart of everything we do.

He’s proud to lead a department that helps careers thrive. By creating a culture of learning, mentorship and collaboration, Alastair and his team are ensuring Reesink continues to deliver excellence, both today and for years to come.

New for 2026

• First Reesink training school will open
• New training courses will launch
• Master Service Technician training focus

For more information on Reesink Turfcare’s training, technical support and genuine parts, call 01480 226800 or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk today.