YOUNG BLOOD Meet the new members of the BAGMA Council of Representatives

Young blood joins the BAGMA council

THREE NEW MEMBERS have joined the BAGMA Council of Representatives. They will help the association to support the landbased engineering sector and ensure that the UK’s dealer network is properly represented at all levels.

BAGMA previously drew representatives from the chairmen of its many regional groups. Sadly, these groups have diminished over the years and the association now finds itself needing to draw representatives in from different areas around the country who can represent the industry regionally, by product group and in certain areas of specialisms such as training and education.

The council meets at least twice a year but much of the work goes on via email or video calls.

Meet the new members

Elliot Prior

Group garden machinery and commercial sales manager, Masons Kings

“I’ve been in the business for over 10 years, working my way through the departments where I’m now running the garden machinery and commercial sales team for the fourth season. With my passion starting when my parents bought a farm in early 2000s, it was a logical step for me to jump into an agricultural course at Aberystwyth University, then move into the family business for the long term.

“Even in my short time in the business and industry, compared to others, I’ve learnt to love the peaks and troughs of the season. With every new year presents a new industry challenge, global pandemic, staff shortages across the industry, or as simple as a tanker blockage in the Suez Canal! These factors keep reminding me never to stay still, always adapt to the current ‘climate’, and plan for the future."

Jason Nettle

Director, Winchester Garden Machinery

With over 50 years of family history in WGM, Jason followed his father Robin’s footsteps into the business in 2010, having been around the business as he grew up. Now Jason runs WGM with Amy Nocetti , Andy Hosking’s daughter.

Jason and Amy share their fathers’ passion for the business. “We’re a proper family business, which means complete involvement and that brings with it a lot of personal pride in every aspect of the business. People hear about our great service mostly through word of mouth and once they’ve experienced what we can offer for themselves, they become very loyal to us,” Jason says.

Jason is as passionate about the industry as a whole as he is about their own business and contributes to dealer and supplier groups and is keen to become a member of the BAGMA Council to represent the garden machinery and groundcare dealers from within the trade association that his family have been a part of for a very long time.

Jason says: “There are many challenges ahead for the dealer network and being a member of BAGMA allows us to share experiences, ideas and provides a stronger voice for the industry by the strength of numbers that BAGMA can represent. I am very pleased to be offered this opportunity to represent our family business and the industry as whole on the BAGMA Council of Representatives.”

Tom Jobling

Aftersales manager, Carr’s Billington Agriculture (Sales) Ltd

“I joined the company in this position late 2020, having spent my whole working life in agriculture/motor trade. I joined Carr’s Billington following several years with Ripon Farm Services, latterly as group service manager.

“I love everything about the industry – but mainly the people. Most of my time is spent managing or dealing with people – customers, staff and manufacturers. This industry is still so personable, and it’s really rewarding to see a business flourish along with the people in it as we all give so much of ourselves to the day to day. No doubt the industry faces many challenges as we move on, but I think it always has! It’s the adaptability of the entrepreneurial business and individuals among us that will help us keep up with change in the same way they always have.

“One thing is more important than ever – we all have a responsibility to continue bringing young people into the industry and make sure we take measured chances on trained people from other sectors. We’ve opened three new machinery branches in the last 12 months and staffed them with a great mix of talent – which was only possible by mixing experienced agricultural/groundcare staff with others from outside of the industry and trainees. "

“I’m a family man with two young children, love the outdoors and volunteer for various organisations away from work. I also have a passion for vintage vehicles (notably Land Rovers), which we indulge as a family!”

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Richard Taylor RT Machinery LTD BAGMA member since 2001

Big membership benefits for your business

We’ve developed specialist training courses and services over decades of working with independent dealers. Training an average of 500 people each year, successful delegates gain industry accredited BAGMA certificates, valid for five years. Plus, there’s 20% off all BAGMA training courses, exclusively for BAGMA members.

To view our full range of training courses and range of services available to you, visit the BAGMA website or contact the team directly.

01295 713344 info@bagma.com bagma.com

Specialist insurance for BAGMA members

Benefit from specific covers as standard, such as unaccompanied demonstrations of agricultural vehicles as well as the usual covers you’d expect from a machinery dealer’s insurance policy.

l Wide definition of ‘vehicle’ to include trailers and

agricultural implements

l Unaccompanied demonstration cover for up to 72 hours l Cover for vehicles, stock machinery, tools and contents

at business premisie and elsewhere

l £5K worth of portable hand tools cover for employees l Loan or hire whilst vehicles are in service or repair l Specialist advice and and support

TALK TO BAGMA INSURANCE TODAY! 0333 207 6681 bagma@towergate.co.uk bagma.com/specialist-insurance

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