BIGGA Conference - Central England

Gareth is an award winning content producer, broadcaster, and management coach, having worked in the sports media industry for 25 years. Working in a hands-on industry, Gareth has risen through the ranks from work experience student to managing editor of BBC radio stations and large corporate entities. In that time he has experienced all the successes, pitfalls, and do's and don't of management as he transitioned from 'one of the team' to being the leader. As a coach, Gareth seeks to guide fellow managers along the often tricky tight rope of middle management, offering a supportive ear and practical guidance in what can often be a lonely, but incredibly rewarding position.

John Kemp has worked in the golf industry for 18 years and holds a BA in Golf Management, a Professional Diploma for the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, CMDip from Club Managers Association of Europe and is an R&A Greenkeeping Scholar.

As Project Manager - Golf Course 2030 at The R&A he is responsible for leading the industry to develop practical solutions to the key sustainability priorities for golf courses globally.

Dr Marie Athorn joined the RSPB in January 2020 to undertake the role of Business Conservation Advisor to The R&A as part of the partnership between the RSPB and The R&A. Conservation and ecology have always been her passion and Marie has shaped her career in these fields. Marie has played golf her whole life and felt this role was a great opportunity to combine those two things and use her job to increase awareness and support for biodiversity conservation on golf courses.

Mark Hunt has worked for over 35 years in the amenity market within the areas of product development and agronomic support. His main area of interest is dovetailing the effect of our changing climate on agronomic processes such as disease development, grass growth and plant nutrition.

John McLoughlin is the course manager at Wallasey Golf Club in Merseyside and has been with the club since 2020. He began his career at Gleneagles and then travelled to Australia and America, working and touring golf clubs. On his return he took up the position of Deputy head greenkeeper at Grange Park Golf Club and in 2015 became Course Manager at The Warrington Golf Club in 2015. John is a graduate of the first FTMI class in 2013 and is also a mentor for the programme.