John Draper started his lawncare business Greener Gardens Nottingham fifteen years ago. His green industry experience stems from 1990, starting work in sales on a commercial nursery then Scotts Professional business group and latterly Regional Manager Scotts Consumer Business. John is an original committee member of the UKLCA formed in 2016.
Over the past ten years John has also developed a cloud-based lawn care software system “Call Data Manager”
“I am looking forward to working with Committee working on our plans to represent the UK Lawncare Association in this growing market and exploring new ways of supporting our members of all lawn care experience and size over the coming months within the challenges of COVID-19.”
Tom is the Son of an Essex farmer and holds both a BSc (Hons) Agriculture from Nottingham University and a Diploma in Management from University of East London.
Tom spent 21 years working in the agrochemical industry, 5 years of which were based in Lyon, France. His last job was with Bayer was as Head of Professional Products, Europe. This included all Bayer professional products for the amenity market.
Tom started TopGrass in 2005. The company now employs 31 people based in Warwickshire and Essex. He currently lives in Banbury and is married to Shirley with three grown up children and an old, bad tempered Jack Russell called Sprout. Both Shirley and daughter Katie also work for TopGrass.
“Being part of the UKLCA Committee is brilliant for networking with other lawn care business owners and it enables you to be at the forefront of what is happening in the lawn care industry”.
Prior to lawn care Russell spent 15 years working in business IT Support and Account Management, responsible for diverse teams with a heavy focus on customer service and emerging technologies. He found a passion for looking after his own lawn and fulfilled a dream to run his own business doing something he loved; starting Lawn Tiger in 2017 covering areas of Surrey, West & East Sussex and Kent. He is looking forward to growing the business to a multi van operation. Russell is married to Katie with three daughters who keep him busy.
“Since joining the Committee, I have gained further insight into the wider UK lawn care industry, built great professional contacts and personal friendships with other lawn care business owners and staff. That has enabled me to improve and grow my business. I believe you get back what you put in and it’s great to be directly involved to help promote and improve the professional lawn care sector in the UK.”
Prior to starting Lawnrite Jon was a Finance Manager for Toyota Financial Services within a Toyota Branch where he managed the finance and insurance sales within the branch. Before that Jon was Greenkeeper/Deputy Head for 5 years, he then worked within grounds maintenance team for private schools on their sports pitches and grounds.
Before joining the committee, I felt that the industry was a lonely place and found that the only place I could get information was from suppliers. Now I have a close friendship/network with many owners that we regularly share ideas and best practice.
Ian studied agriculture and agronomy and has a passion for all things soil science related. Prior to launching his lawncare business he held various senior roles in sales, marketing and business development. He is focussed on customer service. He has a background in print publishing in the leisure computing market and launched the UK’s first internet magazine.
The UKLCA is committed to shared learning, raising industry standards and providing support to the independent lawn care industry. For me, being part of this network has provided invaluable guidance and support with many aspects associated with the challenges of providing a first class service and great results.
The UK Lawn Care Association (UKLCA) is an organisation based in the United Kingdom committed to helping garden owners across the country find independent lawn care specialists to provide care for their lawns.
© 2009-2020 – The UK Lawn Care Association
Fill in the form below, and we’ll put you in touch with your local independent lawn care provider for your free lawn care health check.
