Meet the Experts
A Great deal of experience and knowledge
We are confident that you will not find a lawn care company with the same wealth of experience and knowledge as in The Great Lawn Company.
Director Profiles
Andrew Turnbull BSC (Hons), Dip RSA, Cert Ed.
Managing Director
Andrew has considerable experience in managing turfgrass, including positions as a Head Groundsman and Golf Course Manager. Andrew has also held the position as Curriculum Leader of Sports Turf in a leading UK college developing courses from Work-based Training to Higher Education. Andrew has never stopped his journey of self development and education, gaining qualifications from City & Guilds and a BSc (Hons) degree whilst working and bringing up a family.
Andrew’s study of soil microbes during his BSc project on composting means that you can rely on The Great Lawn Company to give you a great lawn. Whilst developing an excellent track record in managing human, financial and physical resources in demanding commercial organizations, Andrew has never lost the pleasure of seeing people enjoy the fruits of his labours, whether from people enjoying a round of golf or relaxing on a manicured lawn.
Ian MacMillan BSc, BA (Hons), M.G., J.D.
Technical Director
Ian’s achievements during his working life will be extremely hard to emulate. At the forefront of golf greenkeeping and education for most of his 44 years in professional turf management, Ian’s love of grasses has led him on a journey of study and discovery. Ian has gained two degrees and has the proud distinction of being Scotland’s first Master Greenkeeper, all gained through his fascination of how grasses are influenced by the maintenance practices used in producing fantastic turf surfaces.
Ian has become an acknowledged expert in the use of sugars in creating healthy soils through feeding soil microbes and providing the grass with energy. Many bowling clubs, golf courses, sports pitches and lawns have used Ian’s advice to grow healthy turf surfaces by moving away from the reliance on synthetic, oil-based fertilisers. Truly a man prepared to learn for life, Ian has not kept all this knowledge and experience to himself. He has taught turf at Elmwood College for 15 years, the U.K.’s most prominent centre for turfgrass learning, and is a Consultant to Bowling Greens and Golf Courses around the UK and Europe.
Specialist Profiles
Duncan Peddie
Lawn Care Specialist, Edinburgh, Stirlingshire, Clackmannanshire & East Glasgow
I have 32 years experience working on golf courses and was a course manager for 26 of those years. During that time I staged many tournaments both for the PGA and the SGU with great references from players and the associations. I have qualifications in Parts 1 and 2 in City & guilds for greenkeeping, City & Guilds NPTC spraying of pesticides, and NVQ level 3 in greenkeeping & management.
I joined The Great Lawn Company because I wanted to be part of a successful team as well as having my own business. The area I cover starts on the east side of Glasgow, Bishopbriggs, Lenzie, Kirkintilloch up to Lochearnhead and down to Clackmannanshire. I have also recently taken over the Edinburgh territory. In addition to providing lawn treatments I can also supply customers with lawn mowers at great prices.
I am a keen gardener and I also enjoy playing golf, fishing and sailing.
Stephen Hay
Lawn Care Specialist, South Lanarkshire
I joined The Great Lawn Company when it was first launched. I cover the South Lanarkshire Area from Motherwell down to Lanark. Before joining The Great Lawn Company I had worked in Manufacturing for the previous 20 years, latterly working in the Semiconductor Industry at various levels of Management.
I was sold on the Ethos of the Great Lawn Company whist speaking to Ian MacMillan over several months. Having worked in factories most of my life the chance to manage my own business and work outdoors was one of the major factors for joining the team. I have always been interested in outside space and in particular in having a great looking lawn. With the knowledge I have gained from Ian and Andrew what better way to help spread the joy of having great lawns to as many people as possible. The fact that we do not use chemicals or pesticides in the treatments of the lawns was also a major factor. I believe in giving the environment as much help as we can and by spreading the word to as many people as possible can only be a good thing.
Stuart Gallacher
Lawn Care Specialist, Lanarkshire, Glasgow & North Ayrshire
My interest in lawn care developed whilst I was studying for my BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Biomedicine; I studied a range of modules involving investigation of grass technology. I have always believed in sustaining the environment as much as possible so when the opportunity to get involved with a company that provide lawn care that is both natural and safe came along I jumped at the chance.
In addition to my degree I have gained further qualifications to support my role including NPTC PA1 and PA6 certificates in safe use of spraying. My interest in lawn care and related activities extends into my leisure time which I usually spend gardening, growing vegetables and grass cutting.
I represent The Great Lawn Company in Hamilton, Bothwell, East Kilbride, Strathaven, Blantyre, Uddingston, East Rutherglen, Quarter, Darvel, Drumclog, Cambuslang and Newton.
Kevin Smith
Lawn Care Specialist, Fife
Fate is something I never believed in until I met Ian MacMillan. After meeting Ian by chance and speaking for all of 5 minutes, I came to the conclusion that natural lawn care that uses no man-made chemicals was an extremely worthwhile and viable new choice for domestic lawn care customers. In essence it was something that people had been crying out for but no-one had either the knowledge or inclination to offer such a service, until now. This is what makes me so excited about working for a company that is pioneering this new concept in lawn care…. natural lawn treatments and services with the emphasis on customer care.
I have worked in various industries from ultra pure water production within a semi conductor environment to an engineering role within quality control. I have BSc Chemistry and a LRSc in analytical Chemistry.
I am now responsible for running The Great Lawn Company’s East and West Fife branches.
Richard Davies
Lawn Care Specialist, Isle of Man
For a number of years it was my ambition to run my own business and joining The Great Lawn Company as an Associate came as an excellent opportunity for me to become part of a pioneering, unique enterprise which combines my passions for producing top quality turf surfaces and environmental care.
I have 33 years experience working on golf courses, including 20 years employed as Head Greenkeeper on courses in Cheshire, the Lake District and the Isle of Man. I have prepared golf courses for professional tournaments and televised events.
My qualifications include City and Guilds Greenkeeping phases 2, 3 and 4 and I have an HNC in Golf Course Management for which I was awarded the prize for top student in my final year. I also have spraying certificates PA1, PA2 and PA6.
Besides working outdoors my interests include playing the guitar, walking and spending time with my family.
