The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) has appointed two new independent advisors – Dr Kate Entwistle of The Turf Disease Centre and Ian Prescott, Principal of East Durham College – to provide strategic counsel to the IOG board of directors.
 
IOG chief executive Geoff Webb points out that the unpaid roles do not affect the structure of the IOG board and says “Kate and Ian will help the IOG build on its strengths as it takes on the challenges of meeting the needs of our members and continuing to build the profile of the grounds care profession”.
 
Dr Kate Entwistle
With a background of plant pathology, physiology and microbiology at Birmingham University and Long Ashton Research Station, Dr Entwistle obtained her first degree in 1986 and was awarded her PhD in 1995.
 
After joining the Sports Turf Research Institute in 1990 – and subsequently being appointed Turfgrass Pathologist in 1993, she established The Turf Disease Centre in 2000 to provide an independent analysis and information service on turfgrass pests and diseases.
 
As such, she has worked closely with turf managers, consultant agronomists and technical representatives from across the amenity sector, mostly in the UK and Ireland, but increasingly throughout Europe and beyond. 
 
She has also participated in educational programmes and seminars to increase awareness of turfgrass disease problems. 
 
Dr Entwistle said: “I am delighted to become an independent advisor to the IOG board and look forward to finding ways of improving our understanding of pest and disease management for the benefit of the whole amenity sector.”
 
Ian Prescott
After a promising professional football career was cut short through injury, Ian Prescott has progressed from becoming an engineering technician to achieving an Advanced Diploma Certificate and a Masters Degree in Education.
 
From part-time to main grade teaching, Ian moved into a senior post and also became Rotherham Council’s Further Education and Curriculum Development Officer. A growing relationship with government work saw him advise government on post-16 education and curriculum development and qualifications for over 20 years.
 
Further career moves followed, from vice-principal of Hinckley College to becoming the country’s youngest principal at Craven College, north Yorkshire, before arriving at East Durham College.
 
Today, Ian is a director of Hartlepool United football club and a member of many advisory boards including East Durham Business Service and East Durham Local Strategic Partnership. In addition, he has also been an advisor to the former government Sports Advisor Kate Howey, the ABA England, the EBBA England and the RFU and RFUW on sport and education, as well as helping to set up and establish the first sports academies within colleges.
 
A founder member of the Football Foundation, Ian’s influence on sport also includes work with the Association of Young People and advising and supporting a local Spanish football team in Valencia, Spain.
 
Commenting on the appointment, he said: “From my footballing background I fully appreciate the role of the groundsman, and it is this knowledge – combined with an ethos firmly directed towards helping others enhance their lives through education – that I hope to be able to help the IOG and its members continue to progress.”
 
Dr Entwistle and Ian Prescott complement Tony Hughes and Peter Lee who last year were appointed as independent advisors to the IOG. Since 1981, Tony Hughes has been the Financial Director of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club; and Peter Lee OBE is formerly chief executive of the Football Foundation and the Football Stadium Improvement Fund (2000-2006), as well as a member of the Government’s Football Task Force  and chief executive of the Football Trust (1990-2006).  He is currently chairman of the Welsh Football Trust.