Our People

The BIGGA team is on hand to assist our members with all aspects of BIGGA membership. Get in touch if there's anything you would like to discuss about membership or speak to a member of our team to discover ways in which we can help you achieve your personal and professional ambitions.

Contact BIGGA by calling 01347 833 800 or message us on WhatsApp using 07933 203 645.

Senior management team

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Jim Croxton

Chief Executive Officer

Contact Jim

Jim has been CEO of BIGGA since 2011 and is a passionate campaigner working on behalf of the UK's greenkeepers. Having grown up on a golf course, Jim has a lifelong passion for the golfing industry and he regularly speaks to the leaders at all of golf's governing bodies to promote greater respect and improving working conditions for golf's greenkeepers.

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Sami Strutt

Chief Operating Officer, BIGGA

Contact Sami

With over 30 years experience in the greenkeeping industry working for BIGGA, Sami's role focuses on expanding educational and development opportunities for members. In 2022 she was appointed chief operating officer of the association.

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Lauren Frazer

Head of Business Development

Contact Lauren

In her 7th year with BIGGA and a graduate from the ‘Women in Golf’ Leadership programme and ‘CMI Advanced Sales and Leadership’ programme, Lauren has a wealth of knowledge both of the industry and diverse routes to market available to companies. 

A regular at trade shows across the world, sees maintaining good relationships and supporting both existing and new clients as an important part of her role.  The go to person to discuss commercial opportunities to showcase your products, BIGGA partnerships, various sponsorship options throughout BIGGA and exhibiting at BTME.

 

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Steve Wragg

Chief Financial Officer

Contact Steve

Steve is responsible for all the financial aspects of the operation of BIGGA.

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Karl Hansell

Head of Marketing and Communications

Contact Karl

Karl is responsible for all the public relations, marketing and other communications activities that BIGGA undertakes throughout the year, including the publication of BIGGA's monthly magazine, Greenkeeper International. He also takes a leading role in the promotion of the greenkeeping profession across the wider golfing industry and further afield.

 

Membership services team

The membership services team is BIGGA's regional representatives, working on the road and regularly visiting members to offer help and advice, as well as organising educational activities throughout the year. 

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John Young

Membership Services Manager - Scotland & Northern Ireland

Contact John

John is membership services manager for Scotland & Northern Ireland, supporting BIGGA members in his daily duties and helping to ensure the effective operation of education and networking events within his region.

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Steven Dudley-Brown

Membership Services Manager - Central England

Contact Steven

Steve joined BIGGA in 2021 following a successful greenkeeping career.  Joining the industry aged 16, he has worked across the UK, Australia and New Zealand and spent 13 years as a course manager. In his role at BIGGA, he works on behalf of members in the Central England Region, helping to provide learning opportunities and the various other incredible initiatives available to members.

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Roger Butler

Membership Services Manager - Northern

Contact Roger

Having built significant experience within the golf industry in his role at the Professional Golfers' Association, Roger joined BIGGA in 2014 as membership services manager for Central England. Since January 2022 he moved to the Northern Region, where he works on behalf of BIGGA members to provide learning opportunities and various other membership initiatives.

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John Pearson

Membership Services Manager - South East

Contact John

With outstanding experience in the golf industry, including in his role as assistant manager at West Surrey Golf Club, John works on behalf of BIGGA members in the South East Region, helping to provide learning opportunities and other incredible initiatives.

 

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Kris Parker

Membership Services Manager - South West & South Wales

Contact Kris

Kris joined BIGGA in July 2023 after a number of years working as a sports apprenticeship officer and rugby coach. He has made over 100 Welsh Premiership appearances for Ebbw Vale RFC and is currently captain of Pontypridd RFC.

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Tracey Walker

Membership Services Manager - Events and Initiatives

Contact Tracey

Tel: 07841 948110

As one of the longest-serving members of the regional BIGGA team, Tracey co-ordinates BIGGA’s national activity and works to ensure Region calendars are complementary. Additionally, Tracey organises BIGGA initiatives across the UK and co-ordinates the delivery of The Open Volunteer Support Team.

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Jenny Bledge

Workforce Project Manager, BIGGA

Contact Jenny

Jenny was appointed in early 2023 to oversee the implementation of the innovative First Green initiative in the UK, in addition to several other projects that will see the promotion of the greenkeeping industry to a wide audience

 

Learning and development team

Throughout the year BIGGA hosts a large number of exclusive career-defining opportunities for its members. Among these is Continue to Learn, the world's leading education programme for those working in sports turf management.

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Deb Burnett

Learning and Development Executive

Contact Deb

Deb is responsible for the organisation and operation of BIGGA’s learning opportunities throughout the year, including the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme, the Future Turf Managers Initiative (FTMI) and Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year, alongside countless other activities. She also is responsible for the production of the Continue to Learn programme and delivery each year.

 

 

HQ team

Working from the BIGGA offices in North Yorkshire, the core BIGGA team works tirelessly to ensure BIGGA members get the help and advice they need to maximise their membership and achieve their own personal and professional ambitions, should you need to contact a member of the team please call BIGGA HQ on 01347 833800

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Gil Christon

Administrator

Contact Gil

Gil supports BIGGA members to offer help and advice with all aspects of their membership, including membership renewals and access to the various support and advice that is available to BIGGA members.

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Janette Pascall

Administrator

Contact Janette

Janette supports BIGGA members to offer help and advice with all aspects of their membership, including membership renewals and access to the various support and advice that is available to BIGGA members.

 

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Jo Millar

Administrator

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Joshua Newton

Accounts Assistant

Contact Joshua

Supporting Steve Wragg in the financial aspects of the association, Joshua is a talented accounts assistant working towards his senior qualifications. 

 

Communications, marketing and digital services

BIGGA's communications team is responsible for all of BIGGA's various publications, including the monthly members' journal, Greenkeeper International, our website and all our social media activities.

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Zoe Wright

Marketing and Social Media Executive

Contact Zoe

Always on the look-out for the latest trending topic, Zoe plays a key role in the conversations that BIGGA has with its members and the wider community as she oversees all of BIGGA’s social media activities. She is also helping to redevelop BIGGA’s marketing offering, to ensure that everyone is aware of the great benefits that come with BIGGA membership and plays a role in BIGGA’s recruitment service.

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Lorna Taylor

Editorial Assistant

Contact Lorna

Lorna plays an important role in the creation of Greenkeeper International, working with various contributors to produce our member news pages and other aspects of the magazine each month. She is also a key contact with regards BIGGA's recruitment service, helping advertisers through that journey and sharing these opportunities with BIGGA members.

 

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Karen Hughes

Digital Executive

Contact Karen

Karen has a master's degree in internet computing and is our web guru, working to ensure the BIGGA and BTME websites are operating smoothly. She makes sure that all the fantastic learning materials and resources that are available on the BIGGA website are available for our members. Karen is also responsible for the operation of the BIGGA app and for many of the informative emails that BIGGA members receive.

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Libbie Waddleton

Design and Brand Executive

Contact Libbie

If you’ve seen something designed by BIGGA in the past five years, whether it be Greenkeeper International, an information poster or all the signage at BTME, the chances are it was created by Libbie. With a keen eye for detail, Libbie is responsible for the consistent and professional image that is portrayed by BIGGA on a daily basis.

 

Business development team

The activities of BIGGA are supported by our commercial partners, including those who formalise their relationship with BIGGA as Premium Partners, Partners, Supporters and Regional Patrons. The Business development team is also responsible for organising the exhibitors who participate in the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) each January.

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Gavin Rees

Business Development Manager

Contact Gavin

Joined BIGGA 3 years ago from outside the industry but a background in B2B client services helps facilitate partner and supporter agreements.

Always keeping abreast of the industry and seasonal factors, liaises regularly with companies to discuss the time-specific opportunities available to them.

Whether you are a long standing customer or it’s a first time enquiry, happy to talk you through all of the advertising options and the education supporter package.

 

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Judith Golooba

Business Development Administrator

Contact Judith

Judith works alongside the Business Development team to administer the recruitment aspect of BIGGA's operations in addition to various other activities, such as the organisation of BTME.

 

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