Blog
Check out the latest blogs from Ground Control
A year to remember at Wildfell
Chris Bawtree shares highlights from an award-winning year at Wildfell
Dealing with Change
Chris Talbot, People Business Partner, shares his views on how change in the workplace can be unsettling
Up close with Utility Arboriculture
We spent the day with Ground Control’s UA South Wales team to learn more about the highly skilled profession; and career opportunities within this lucrative, often overlooked form of tree surgery.
Preparing your business for a typical autumn
GC Weatherman, Peter Brown, explores what you can expect from the UK weather this autumn
Tackling Modern Slavery
Darren Daley gives a short reflection on our changes to tackle Modern Slavery
Pay per visit gritting could save you money this winter
In a climate of uncertain budgets and unpredictable weather, could a fixed-price contract or pay as you go winter service be the best for your business?
Pothole risk management in the UK
Griffiths & Armour, chartered insurance broker and professional business risk advisor, talks with Ground Control about pothole risk management in the UK and solutions for businesses.
Why it's important to be 'Part Of The Plan'
Chris Bawtree, Nature Recovery Director, reflects on the importance of biodiversity planning on International Day for Biological Diversity
From mild days to wild winters, we’ll get you going
Jay Hicks, Winter Operations Director at Ground Control, reflects on a mild but perfectly agile winter maintenance season.
Introducing Declan O’Gorman
We sat down with the new Country Director for Ireland with three simple questions
For those who are newt to it...
We explore why the Great Crested Newt (GCN) are protected and how Ground Control ecologists can support in keeping your project moving forward
Buying a better future: Procurement leads the way on our carbon net zero journey
Javier Roig, Senior Procurement Manager on how Ground Control aims to achieve ambitious, net-zero targets through effective supply chain management
Celebrating our apprentices
Meet Isabel Reed, Level Three Apprentice for Ground Control Highways and Infrastructure
Setting the scene for frost-free festivities
Protecting your grounds and car parks during the coldest months of the year
Working Together for Good
Daniel Grix, Landscape, Design & Energy Director, looks back at his first three months.
National Tree Week – Its time to grow a tree in '23!
The unseen benefits that trees bring us, as part of our National Tree Week 2023 celebrations
National Tree Week: A view from Wildfell
Chris Bawtree, Nature Recovery Director, updates us on woodland creation at Wildfell for National Tree Week
Introducing the GC weatherman
As a nation that loves discussing the weather, we bring your weather updates from our in-house meteorological expert.
Mission possible: Ground Control’s quest for net zero
Sophie Stephens, Head of Environment & Sustainability introduces our new net zero target and plans to achieve it.
Blake Grounds Services - A transition to electric tools
We spoke with the Ground Control field team to hear about their transition to electric tools.
Why decarbonise?
Ross Wilkinson explores what decarbonisation means and the key reasons for your business to begin this process
Keeping customer experience hot, when the weather is not
Winter Maintenance Head of Client Services, Ana Mantovani on how an outside-in approach that listens, adapts, and continuously improves, is what keeps our customers coming back for more.
Introducing Zero Emission Gardening
London's Sustainable Gardening Specialists and Ground Control Field Team
National Badger Day at Wildfell
Our ecology team share a badger update from our Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery, and why badgers are important for a healthy ecosystem.
The Essex Climate Focus Area
A ground-breaking initiative led by Essex County Council to improve the county’s resilience to climate change.
Fields of Dreams: Understanding Meadows
Plantlife's #NationalMeadowsDay this year celebrates the value of our local biodiverse grasslands, including meadows
Matt Goddard, Head of Design at Ground Control, takes to the NetZero stage at Utility Week Live
Joining an expert panel debate on “Creating more opportunities for nature-based solutions”
Taking action with EV for cleaner air
We spoke with Tom Goodman, Technical Director, Energy & Decarbonisation, to find out why are Electric Vehicles part of the solution to cleaner air
Cold snaps test our mettle
Reflecting on winter resilience and upping our game when the temperature drops
UK Pollinators: The Butterflies and the Bees
The issues faced by pollinators and what can be achieved on-site to support them.
Invasive Weeds: A growing concern
We caught up with Contract Manager, Chris May to understand the issues that Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed can cause
Seeing the wood for the trees: The importance of forests
We explore forests, why people should care, and their importance for #InternationalDayOfForests
Making the world inclusive for people suffering from post-natal depression
Tamae Isomura explores the impact of landscape design on those suffering from post-natal depression in ‘Landscape’
Take it or leave it: Understanding leaf litter
We spoke with National Operations Director, Marc Wilkinson to understand how Ground Control can help and support the issue of leaf litter.
World Wetlands Day 2023
How our friends at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust are marking World Wetlands Day 2023
The restoration of Wetlands
We explore wetlands, their risks and their importance for #WorldWetlandsDay
Community and Connectivity at Wildfell
At Wildfell, we are collaborating with a diverse group of partners to test land management practices that boost biodiversity, increase habitat diversity, and increase nature recovery network connectivity.
Nature Recovery in Action
At Wildfell we follow a comprehensive, highly disciplined nature-recovery process, stay up to date with key milestones at the Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery
Ground Control at Wildfell
We want to create a world-class Biodiversity Net Gain and Carbon Sequestration showcase
Simple changes to enhance biodiversity
Examples of biodiversity net gain advised and actioned by our in-house experts
The importance of ‘Green Spaces’ on human, nature, and health
The positive impact of green spaces and how they can boost productivity
Keeping up our clearances
Our Winter Maintenance Operations Director, Jay Hicks, explores what resilience means to us in winter
Breaking the ice
Our Winter Maintenance Renewals and Mobilisation Manager, Jennie Brown, shares some secrets to her successful mobilisation process
Boots on the ground in your local area
Keeping you going in winter, with local know-how. By Lauren Matthew, Winter Maintenance Sales and Retention Manager
Fixed pricing in a climate of uncertainty
As a facilities manager or managing agent, the decision about whether to fix your winter maintenance costs could be one of the most important budgeting decisions you make this year.
Meet the new Menzi Muck
Our latest addition to the Ground Control mechanised vegetation management fleet is taking the world of arboriculture by storm.
Is the Education Sector leading the way on Biodiversity?
Scott reflects on our company ethos and "what the education sector is doing for biodiversity education".
Biodiversity enhancement in action
At Ground Control we believe in integrating sustainability into our projects and have been working with clients for years to create and maintain biodiversity net gain
Rising to the ESG challenge
Blog by Tom Coulson, Sector Lead, Facilities Management and Managing Agents
5 aspects of sustainability at Waterbeach Barracks
A short review of our Phase 1 works, creating sustainable green spaces with Urban&Civic
Clearing the way for a successful winter
Enabling a successful winter season by investing and encouraging growth
Over 3,000 Trees planted to create ‘OpenWood’
Marking #NationalTreeWeek, Openreach and Ground Control have partnered created ‘OpenWood’ at Old Bolingbroke in Lincolnshire
Human Nature: At Its Best
Managing Director, Jason Knights, talks about the launch of Human Nature: At Its Best
We are more prepared than ever for a colder than average winter
Ian Morehouse, Winter Maintenance Director, talks action plans for the 2020 harsh weather forecast
Not caring is not an option
Ground Control Director, Kim Morrish explains how caring for our environment is in our company's DNA
We've got you covered
Geoff Lewis, Winter Maintenance Regional Contracts Manager on how we reassure customers during unpredictable weather
Electric Vehicles: Price, confidence and availability are key to success
Insights from Andy Gray, Electric Vehicle Charging Specialist, and what makes our service work
Keeping the country moving during the winter season
Ian Morehouse, Winter Maintenance Director, reflects on the winter gritting season 2020/2021
Mitigating havoc caused by floods
Ian Cooper, Senior Contract Manager, asks should we keep building flood defences or consider low-carbon alternatives?
Securing salt supplies
Jay Hicks, Winter Maintenance Operations Director, on maintaining emergency salt supplies
Powering up - our move to battery hand tools
Graham Bird Supply Chain Director speaks on leading the way battery powered tools
Fleet Fix, the total EV charging solution
Andy Gray shares the secret to a smooth transition to electric vehicles
The frost report
Ian Morehouse, Winter Maintenance Director discusses how preparations for next winter are underway
Gamekeeper turned poacher
Karl Cunningham, Ground Control Senior Account Manager for JLL, shares insights from both customer and supplier perspectives
Every day is winter
Peter Brown, Commercial Operations Manager, tells talkRADIO how the HGV driver shortage is not a problem for Ground Control
Snow Patrol
Dan Beaumont, Weatherhill Contractors Ltd, shares a typical day in the life of a Ground Control winter maintenance operative
Mobilising for the winter
Jennie Brown, Mobilisation Manager on exceeding new clients' expectations from their winter services contracts
More than a pinch of salt
Lyndsey Burns, Winter Maintenance Key Account Manager, on how we always have enough salt, whatever the weather
Ploughing through it
George Bell, Snow Clearance Account and Process Manager is always ready for the snow
