IOG Strategy Moves Forward as Ian Lacy Joins as Head of Professional Services

Following the successful launch of ‘Challenging Perceptions’ the strategy document of the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), the leading membership organisation for grounds professionals involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities, the IOG announces a significant step forward with the appointment of Ian Lacy in the new role of Head of Professional Services.

(PRWEB) September 30, 2006 -- Following the successful launch of ‘Challenging Perceptions’ the strategy document of the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), the leading membership organisation for grounds professionals involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities, the IOG announces a significant step forward with the appointment of Ian Lacy in the new role of Head of Professional Services.

A former groundsman, and a qualified IOG instructor as well as Football Association and ECB consultant, 40-year-old Ian will step into the newly-created role at the IOG in late November.

The Challenging Perceptions strategy highlighted the IOG’s professional services, membership and communications activities as areas for major development -- part of a 10-point plan that will take the IOG and the industry in general forwards over the next six years.

Ian Lacy will work closely with IOG chief executive Geoff Webb and head of marketing & events, Siobhan Harper, to deliver this agenda.

With 20 years’ experience in the amenity horticulture and sports turf industry, Ian Lacy, LCGI, Cert Ed, holds the City & Guilds assessor awards D32.33 and the internal verification award D34, and he delivers IOG Level 1 and 2 training courses on cricket, football and rugby groundsmanship and bowling green maintenance. He is also qualified to deliver the IOG course, Pests and Diseases of sports turf.

He is currently a consultant to the IOG and ECB, and to the FA in relation to Football Foundation/Sport England bids.

He was formerly greenkeeper at Seaton Carew Golf Club then head groundsman at Seaton Carew Cricket & Sports Club before joining Hartlepool Borough Council (training/parks section) and moving to East Durham and Houghall Community College as Team Leader in Horticulture.

Commenting on his new role, Ian Lacy says: "I am excited by my appointment and look forward to a challenging but rewarding role. With the demands now placed on the grounds care industry, it is vital that the IOG sets high quality standards for the future, and I hope that I will play my part in helping the institute achieve these."

Geoff Webb, IOG chief executive, commented: "I am delighted that Ian will be joining us. We have set ambitious targets and I am sure that he will add value to the team with his considerable knowledge and experience. Ian came through a rigorous selection process where there were excellent candidates against him.

“I wish him well and am confident that this appointment signifies our intention to create a first class team of staff to work hand in hand with our members to achieve our overall vision of ‘Quality Surfaces through Quality Services’.”

With Compliments:
Colin Hoskins
Wildish Communications Ltd
36 New Road
Chatham
Kent ME4 4QR
Tel: 01634 832221
Fax: 01634 832224

Issued on behalf of:
The Institute of Groundsmanship, 28 Stratford Office Village, Walker Avenue, Wolverton Mill East, Milton Keynes MK12 5TW
Tel: 01908 312511
Fax: 01908 311140
Contact: Siobhan Harper, Head of Marketing & Events

Editors note:

About The Institute of Groundsmanship
The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is the leading membership organisation representing grounds managers, groundsmen, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. As well as maintaining the IOG Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the IOG’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects. It also stages the annual IOG SCOTSTURF and IOG SALTEX exhibition, Europe’s leading show for the open space profession. For more information visit www.iog.org

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