HortWeek hosted panel a discussion on Integrated weed management: realities vs. Government goals at GroundsFest 2025 on 9 September.
With the National Action Plan targeting a 10% pesticide reduction by 2030 and a new Bill pushing to end urban pesticide use, significant changes are on the horizon. But with over half of councils still relying on pesticides, what does an Integrated Weed Management (IWM) plan look like for the sector?
Panellists at the event, sponsored by Kersten and hosted by HortWeek's Rachael Forsyth, offered practical answers and explored whether a future with less pesticides is feasible.
Panellists:
John Nicholls – head of Horticultural Standards, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Having been at Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) for nearly 40 years, John Nicholls brings a wealth of experience working all around the world. The CWGC global estate is around 600ha with war graves in 152 countries worldwide, with horticultural operations in around 52 of those. The CWGC has reduced chemical use by approximately 90%.
Sean Faulkner – sales director, Kersten
Sean is the Integrated Weed Management Specialist at Kersten UK. His passion is helping land managers rethink how their surfaces are maintained, assisting them in finding the best ways to allow both nature and urban landscapes to thrive together. His methods are site-specific, relying on simple, preventative processes that minimise the need for remedial treatments. In this way, he helps custodians in the amenity sector manage the built environment to high standards of maintenance and sustainability.
Andrew Corcoran – operations director, Glendale
As operational director Andrew Corcoran leads 900+ team members across three regions delivering services in horticulture, arboriculture, conservation, winter work and environmental green spaces management. Clients range from local authorities, housing associations, utility companies, to commercial businesses. Glendale uses numerous different types of vegetation management solutions depending on the client and their needs, balancing effectiveness, cost, and the environment.
Darren Greatbatch – specialist advisory manager, Environment Controls
Darren Greatbatch is an amenity and invasive weeds expert, currently working for Japanese Knotweed and Environment Controls. He has been pivotal in developing a new system of herbicide application that significantly reduces chemical, water and plastic usage. Greatbatch has spent over 20 years within amenity weed control working mainly for local authorities, landowners, and homeowners, as well as advising commercial businesses on weed control best practice.
Ben Wood – director, Wood Environmental Services
Wood Environmental Services delivers various sustainable vegetation management solutions to the rail, highway, and commercial sectors. As such, Ben Wood has over 20 years of experience working with pesticides and delivering sustainable vegetation management solutions in a variety of locations. Prior to setting up Wood Environmental Services, he worked at companies including Ground Control, Mitie, and Whiting Landscape. In his amenity horticulture days, he worked closely with clients to reduce the use of chemicals. Now he is working with new ecological boundaries with Network Rail and Highways where reduction isn’t an option, he now has to mitigate impact in other ways.
