THE MOST CHALLENGING ISSUE IS RECRUITMENT

To kick off 2026, TurfPro has asked a series of prominent figures to offer their thoughts on the industry's current State Of Play.

Jim Buttar (pictured above right with TurfPro editor Laurence Gale) is the current head of grounds & technical operations at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham - the iconic home of English rugby and the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

Jim Buttar has over 25 years of experience in the sports turf industry, beginning his journey as an apprentice at a private school in Cambridgeshire.

Early in his career he moved into professional sport, gaining hands-on experience at Rushden and Diamonds Football Club, where he became one of the youngest heads of grounds.

Jim spent a significant portion of his turf-care career at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, serving for three years as deputy head groundsman, followed by 11 years as head groundsman at White Hart Lane - the club’s premier league stadium.

After his long spell at Tottenham, Jim expanded his expertise by joining Pro Pitch as an international sports turf development manager.

In that role he consulted on pitch maintenance and delivery for major international events - including UEFA Champions League Finals, Euro 2020 host venues, FIFA Club World Cup, and the Asian Cup - working with elite sporting organisations around the world.

In September 2019, the Rugby Football Union appointed Jim as head groundsperson at Twickenham Stadium.

Beyond Twickenham, Jim is active in the broader turf-care community. He’s been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Grounds Management Association (GMA) as the sector lead for professional sport, reflecting his standing in the industry.

He plays a key role in the Rugby Grounds Connected programme, helping support and advise grassroots clubs and volunteer groundspeople across England.

Q1. What has been the product, machine or innovation that has helped you most in your career?

Being predominantly based in stadiums I think the grow light technology has made the most significant innovation during my career. Other innovations that have come to the forefront to aid me the most are battery operated / electric machinery, pitch performance testing tools and systems and pitch sensors both of the latter provide data for turf managers to make decisions far more accurately?

Q2. What are the most challenging issues facing the industry?

The most challenging issue for the industry is recruitment. This has been ongoing for a long time now and it doesn't seem to have improved at all - if anything since the pandemic it has further declined. Regarding solutions I think it is very cyclic in terms of people coming to the industry. The GMA have been driving hard to bring positive attention to the industry and with the NEXTGEN project to highlight the next generation which will hopefully have a positive effect in the medium to long term.

Q3. What are your thoughts on our current trade show scene?

Unfortunately, due to my role I have limited time to be able to attend trade shows. However, I do think it will be a numbers game regarding attendance - and costs for companies will dictate which trade shows are successful and give the industry what it needs.

Q4. What would you like to see in terms of collaboration across industry organisations?

Personally, I think due to the size of the industry and are very unique and the fact we are all facing similar issues and problems as a whole it does make sense for further collaboration. For example, education, knowledge sharing and joining forces for lobbying with government and sporting organisations for a louder voice, would most definitely be beneficial.

Q5. What changes would you like to see made to improve the industry?

 I think we are on a good path. Change takes time and patience is required. Firstly from a positive view, on a global perspective, we are ploughing ahead and I can confidently say we are pioneers from a turf management perspective. So in that respect I don't think that is likely to change anytime soon. From my perspective, I think it is down to individuals and teams to showcase their hard work and highlight how we go about delivering events / matches across the country to raise the profile and really push on the general public what a great industry it is.