Ash Hendrickx-Nutley

Ash has over 30 years’ experience in grounds management mainly working at independent schools, golf courses and in past years volunteering at his cricket club. Regarding the machinery theft Learning LIVE session, Ash says: “In my time working in the industry, I have experienced machinery theft on several occasions, it is very frustrating and can feel very personal when essential equipment is stolen that’s required to maintain your facility, whether it’s from your workplace or a community sports club.”  

Ash has been the GMA’s Regional Pitch Advisor for the Southwest region for football for the past five years. He says: “Working with County FAs, we have helped many clubs improve their grounds by using PitchPower recommendations for maintenance and equipment. This has enabled many clubs to purchase the correct machinery with partnership funding from the Football Foundation.  

“In recent years we have seen that machinery theft is an increasing and significant threat across the grounds management, sports turf and wider horticultural sectors. Criminal activity is becoming more organised, targeted, and sophisticated, affecting organisations of all sizes, from community sports clubs to professional facilities and commercial operators. This is an important issue and one that we have been working on with the CEA and Rural Crime Teams across the country to offer practical advice and reduce thefts across the sector.”