Press Release: GMA boosts its commercial and communications capabilities

The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has welcomed two new Directors to its senior leadership team as the association embarks on a period of investment for growth. 

With the support of its Chairman and board, the GMA has appointed Sarah Cunningham as Director of Commercial & Events and Andrea McMahon as the new Director of Communications. Both will play a key role in delivering the association’s strategy. 

Sarah has spent over a decade managing large-scale trade events primarily in the media industry and within not-for-profit organisations, previously working for the association in an interim capacity to support the successful return of SALTEX in 2021. Sarah’s experience and leadership will add significant value to the team delivering the grounds care industry’s largest, must-attend trade exhibition, SALTEX, as well as helping to extend the GMA’s products and services to those operating in and with the sector. 

Andrea brings multi-sector communications experience to the association having held senior communications roles in high-profile public and not-for-profit organisations, including in a membership trade association, central government departments and law enforcement organisations having previously spent over a decade in the private sector. Andrea will help the GMA to reach new audiences and raise the profile of the valuable contribution made by volunteers and professionals who makes sport possible at grassroots, amateur and elite level. 

Grounds Management Association CEO, Geoff Webb says: 

We’re delighted to have Sarah and Andrea join the GMA family. They both have extensive experience in their fields and will be a great addition to the team. With almost all stands already taken and industry colleagues embracing a return to normality post-pandemic, we are seeing signs that SALTEX 2022 will be busier than the 2021 show and provide the perfect opportunity to showcase our sector, network, and celebrate those working in it. With the return of other events, like the GMA Industry Awards, we look forward to building on the success of 2021 and working towards creating a better future for the grounds care sector.” 

To contact Sarah about SALTEX, awards sponsorship or other commercial opportunities, please email scunningham@thegma.org.uk

For enquiries relating to GMA communications activity, please email Andrea at amcmahon@thegma.org.uk

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About the Grounds Management Association 

The Grounds Management Association is the leading not-for-profit membership organisation representing grounds managers, grounds personnel, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. 

As well as maintaining the Grounds Management Association Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the Grounds Management Association’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects. It also stages the annual Grounds Management Association SALTEX exhibition, Europe’s leading show for the open space profession. For more information visit thegma.org.uk 

For further information, please contact: 

Ollie Swan, Social media and communications executive 

oswan@thegma.org.uk / 07950 800907 

Andrea McMahon, Director of Communications 

amcmahon@thegma.org.uk / 07821 657748