Nature, nurture and protect

Glenn Kirby, the new Research Director at the STRI Group, is a driving force behind the pursuit of high-performance, sustainable turf management. With over 30 years of hands-on greenkeeping and technical experience, including management roles at The London Golf Club and Hockley Golf Club, as well as assisting in major tournaments like the PGA Championship, Glenn brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his new role. Having previously served as Technical Services Manager for Syngenta across Europe, he is a passionate advocate for developing sustainable solutions to tackle the mounting pressures on the turf industry. His work at STRI is dedicated to pioneering research that advances sustainable practices, and in doing so, champions the role of digital innovation as a core tool.

Sean Loakes is Technical Manager for Syngenta Turf across Europe.

He provides technical support for all Syngenta products used by turf and landscape businesses and their customers. His role includes research trials to develop practical solutions for turf management issues and instigate best practice to achieve optimum results.

With the increasing importance of biopesticides within integrated turf management (ITM) programmes, he plays a key role in developing new strategies to meet the evolving challenges for customers using a full range of cultural and chemical controls.

A qualified biologist, Sean has had a career in environmental science and research through practical field trials and laboratory studies. He works alongside the Syngenta technical turf teams from Europe and across the globe to identify and develop new world-leading solutions from the company’s exciting pipeline of R&D products and services for UK landscape industries.