Whether you've met us or not, we thought it might be nice to tell you a bit more about who's who at Barenbrug. Sometimes it's nice to put a face to a name! Read on to learn about your key contact at the company, and to learn a bit more about what they can do for you:

ANDY SADLER
Production Manager

Andy brings a wealth of agricultural experience to his position as production manager where for the past 12 years he has been responsible for the company's UK grass seed production. With over 2,000 hectares sown with Barenbrug cultivars this is no small task.

With a BSc Hons (Botany); MSc Environmental Resources, herbage and turnip crop inspection licences he is very well placed to manage this important role.

Prior to joining Barenbrug he gained extensive experience from positions in farm management, agricultural education and agricultural advice in the UK, Saudia Arabia and Central and Southern Africa.

DAVID GREENSHIELDS
Regional Manager - Scotland, North-East England and Cumbria

David joined Barenbrug in 2008 as amenity regional sales manager for Scotland and the north of England.
With a PhD in Plant Science from Edinburgh University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Biology from St Andrews University, David is well equipped to offer technical assistance to a broad range of clients.

Being a scientist by training, David holds the opinion that a scientific approach should form the basis to almost everything we do in the sports turf industry. His strong academic background is also reinforced by recently gained experience in greenkeeping. David originally hails from the north east of England, but has been living in Edinburgh for the last 13 years. An avid golfer with a handicap of 1, he also has a passion for all sports

DAVID LINTON
Regional Manager - Northern Ireland

David joined Barenbrug seven years ago and has been working in the seed industry for over 12 years. This experience when combined with his agricultural background means he can provide his customers with a wealth of both practical and technical knowledge.
With a National Diploma in Agri-Food science, and experience gained on his home farm David believes he has an unrivalled local knowledge of what is required by local farmers, and landscapers to ensure that he provides them with the best advice available.

David says he is particularly proud of the advice he has provided to organic farmers in the process of conversion, helping them to establish excellent clover swards for their 'new' regime. In addition he has advised numerous local farmers on sward renovation/rejuvenation as well as establishing new swards for silage/grazing. His work also encompasses the amenity side of the business where he has worked on several projects needing special mixtures to tackle specific environmental conditions.

DAVID LONG
Regional Manager - North of England

David joined Barenbrug 14 years ago and brings a wealth of experience having spent all his working life in the seed trade. A fully qualified seed analyst with a Masters degree in Business Administration David not only looks after the agricultural business in Northern England but also is responsible for product management of the agricultural portfolio.

This involves working with breeders from the initial multiplication of a variety to its effective use by farmers throughout the British Isles. David says that this is one of the great joys of the job, seeing a variety through the trialling system to profitable use on farm.

DAVID SINGLETON
Regional Manager - South of England and Wales

David joined Barenbrug in January 2000, and has spent most of his working life in the seed trade.

During his career in the seed trade as a sales manager, product manager and depot manager he has seen big changes, and gained valuable experience across a wide-range of disciplines.

A keen sportsman, he has played Conference football over a ten-year period for Weymouth Town and Bath City.

JAMES INGLES
UK Sales Manager

Since joining Barenbrug nine years ago James worked as Regional Manager covering the south west of England until he was promoted to his current position as UK Sales Manager. He leads the team of experienced specialists who are well placed to provide customers with the best solution for their particular project whether it is a new golf course or renewed sheep pasture.

James says that it is vital to have a team of experts that understand the specific needs of customers and how changes in their industry can affect their grass seed requirements. The market is very competitive and we need to offer much more than just a bag of grass seed.  The depth and width of experience of our current team means we can provide quality advice whatever the situation.

JAYNE LEYLAND
UK Research and Development Manager

Over the past nine years Jayne has provided customers with invaluable technical and practical advice that has enabled them to produce some of the best amenity turf surfaces.

With an HND in Horticulture (Golf Course Management) and prior to joining Barenbrug working as a greenkeeper and assistant golf course manager Jayne brings practical as well as technical understanding to her job of advising customers on the desirable characteristics and maintenance implications necessary to achieve optimum results using Barenbrug mixtures.

Numerous customers have called upon her expertise and she is especially pleased with her work on the species exchange programme on fairways at The London Club (from creeping bent to perennial ryegrass and fescues). Another recent triumph was the development of a special mixture for City of Manchester Stadium.

MATTHEW WILLIAMS
Regional Manager - North Wales, North West England & the Midlands

Matthew joined Barenbrug as regional sales manager for North Wales, the northwest of England and the Midlands in 2008.

An experienced greenkeeper, Matthew has worked at a variety of clubs across the country, including a spell as deputy head greenkeeper of the 18-hole Wrexham Golf Club in his hometown of Wrexham. His wide-ranging greenkeeping experience includes the prestigious Open Championship course at Turnberry in Scotland to pay and play courses. He has an HND in Horticulture specialising in Golf Course Management from Reaseheath College in Cheshire.

An accomplished clay pigeon shot and ardent Liverpool FC fan, Matthew has an interest in all sports.

NEIL PETTICAN
Regional Manager - East Anglia, South East England and the Republic of Ireland

Neil joined Barenbrug in July 2006 and has been working in the amenity industry for over 10 years, gaining a vast array of academic and practical experience.
 
A Masters Degree graduate of Cranfield University, Neil has worked as a golf course manager, a groundsman at Wembley Stadium and has been involved with a variety of construction projects in the UK, Greece and the Caribbean, gaining a diverse mix of sports surface experience.

Neil also offers specialist advice to the equine market, supporting clients from the horse racing world, horse paddock maintenance specialists and local tack shops and their customers.

MHAIRI DAWSON
Regional Manager - Scotland

Mhairi joined Barenbrug in 2010 as Regional Manager for Scotland and joins us from an Agricultural on-farm retailing business in Aberdeenshire.

With a BSc (hons) Applied Bioscience (Animal Science) from SAC Auchincruive, a passion for the Scottish agricultural industry and experience she is well placed to offer advice on forage crops, seed selection and equestrian requirements.

Hailing from a hill sheep farm in South West Scotland Mhairi is keen to successfully breed, show and sell Scottish Blackface sheep and Clydesdale horses, in hand, ridden and in turn outs. She also hopes to continue her successful competition career with her current young horse Wallace.