TO ALL GMA MEMBERS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF GROUNDS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
WEDNESDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2023 - 11:00am
this will be a VIRTUAL meeting
The GMA invites you to register for its Annual General Meeting,
We are pleased to confirm the date of our AGM and members are hereby invited to register to join. It is being held virtually and meeting invites will be issued to all those who have registered as at the closing date of Sunday 19th November 2023. The meeting is scheduled to commence at 11:00am on Wednesday 22nd November 2023.
The formal bit
Please find below the agenda, minutes of the 2022 AGM, details of resolutions to be voted upon and the proxy voting forms for the meeting.
We have a couple of simple rules. First, because the AGM has formal tasks and responsibilities, affecting the GMA’s policies and strategy, and finances, any member who wishes to raise a question needs to submit his or her question to membership@thegma.org.uk at least 24 hours before the meeting starts, for Chair consideration on its inclusion. This is so that we can be sure that issues and questions raised at the AGM, and the answers to be given by the Chair, CEO or Board, have been properly considered.
How do you know if you are a voting member?
Only voting members are allowed to table questions and vote on any resolutions. If you are in either of the member categories below, then you are able to ask questions and vote.
Individuals (excluding those with Student Status, Under-16 Status and/or Organisational Staff Membership Status)
Associate Members shall have one vote exercisable by a nominated representative - this includes Organisation Memberships.
Can you still attend the AGM if you are not in one of the above categories?
Yes, if you are in any of the member categories listed below you are entitled to attend the AGM, but you are not entitled to table questions or vote.
Corporate
Corporate Plus
Individuals with Student Status, Under-16 Status and/or Organisational Staff Membership Status
How to sign up
If you're a GMA member and would like to attend this year’s AGM, please register asap and by no later than Sunday 19th November 2023, with our head office - email membership@thegma.org.uk or phone (during office hours) 01908 552989.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to our AGM.
Grounds Management Association
2023 Annual General Meeting - Agenda
Virtual meeting to start at 11:00am, on Wednesday 22nd November 2023
1 Opening - by Independent Chair, David Carpenter. Accompanied by CEO, Geoff Webb; Director of Finance / Company Secretary, Alan Clarke; and GMA Auditor, Ruth Dorans
2 Apologies
3 Confirmation of voting details
4 Minutes and matters arising from the 2022 AGM to be approved by the meeting
5 Statement on the annual accounts and balance sheet from the Auditor
6 Resolution 1 to ask the meeting to formally approve the accounts
7 Resolution 2 to ask the meeting to approve the auditors for the ensuing year
8 Update from the Chair and CEO - to include details of any changes to the GMA Board of Directors
9 Resolution 3 to ask the meeting to approve the annual report
10 Any other business
11 Closing remarks by Independent Chair
RESOLUTION 1 To ask the meeting formally to approve the annual accounts to 31st March 2023
RESOLUTION 2 To ask the meeting to approve the re-appointment of the auditors for the ensuing year
RESOLUTION 3 To ask the meeting to approve the annual report
Proxy Voting Forms
Complete either Form A, or Form B
Please note that only paid-up individual members, other than student members, and appointed representatives of paid-up Associate Members are eligible to vote, either in person or by proxy at the AGM.
Proxy Form A
If you cannot attend the AGM but would like to specify the way in which your Proxy vote is used, you must appoint the Independent Chairman as your Proxy in order to formally record your voting wishes. In order to do this you must complete Parts 1 and 2 of the form. If you do not complete Part 2 the Independent Chairman will vote on your behalf as he thinks fit. To download and view Proxy Form A click here.
Proxy Form B
This form allows you to give your vote to someone who will be in attendance on the day at the AGM and vote as they believe is best for the GMA and its members. To download and view Proxy Form B click here.
There are two Sector Director positions available for nominations this year.
David Roberts has reached the end of his tenure as a Sector Director representing Professional Sport. David has helped the GMA make significant progress over the past 9 years and the GMA is extermely grateful for all his hard work.
So far we have received one Nomination to replace David, that is Jim Buttar who is Grounds & Technical Operations Lead at England Rugby.
We also have one Board member who is up for re-election. Kimiyo Rickett has agreed to stand for a further term as a Sector Director representing Local Authorities.
Jim Buttar has been Nominated for election to the vacant position of GMA Sector Director for Professional Sports
Jim has over 26 years extensive experience of hands-on management in the sports turf industry, which began as an apprentice at a private school in Cambridgeshire.
Through his journey in elite football, combining his passionate approach, leading by example and with his management ability, Jim has successfully delivered surfaces for several leagues and competitions across the world. Including the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA European Championship qualifiers and World Cup qualifiers, and recently the African Nations Cup.
His latest project is leading the grounds team at the RFU managing the Twickenham stadium pitch, producing high quality surfaces for international and domestic competitions. Alongside this he has the responsibility of advising on strategy for the Rugby Grounds Connected programme for volunteer grounds people.
If elected, Jim believes he has a lot to offer to the GMA and the groundscare industry as a whole and looks forward the possibility of being able to join the GMA Board in November.
Kimiyo Rickett has been Nominated for re-election to the position of GMA Sector Director for Local Authorities
Kimiyo represents the Local Authority Sector and has been a member of the Board since 2017.
Kimiyo is currently based in Alsager, Cheshire. She has worked for various Local Authorities since 1985, including a number of senior positions. Most recently as Assistant Director - Communities & Leisure with Kirklees Metropolitan Council.
Kimiyo was a volunteer for British Blind Sport from 1983 until 2004. She attended the Atlanta Paralympics and was UK Athletics Team Manager for the Athens Paralympics in 2004.
She has gained a wide range of experience within cultural and leisure services including - policy and strategy development; sports development; health; new facility development and facility management; performance management and service improvement; business planning; marketing, consultation and research; equality and diversity.
Kimiyo has a BSc (Econ) from University College London and an MSc in Recreation Management from Loughborough University.
She has previously held positions with the following organisations - CLOA Executive; Sport England Regional Sports Board, West Midlands; Football Foundation Grass Roots Panel; Sport England Nominated Director of Manchester Leisure Trust; Sport England Equity Sub-Group; Advisor to the LGA on Sport; Sport England Lottery Awards Panel; Sport England Race Equality Advisory; Sport England Disability Advisory Group.
Details on how you can nominate alternative candidates can be found here.