Meet our Team

George started up his company back in 2001, never envisaging the scale to which it would grow. Having achieved so much developing and growing his business, George’s role is now very different. Over the past nine years he has assembled the team we list below, freeing him up to work on the strategy to drive sales for the business, development of the team, marketing, and technological innovations that have benefitted operations within the company. George still takes responsibility for sourcing the best available turf on the market, and has excellent industry relationships all over the country.

Big Dave is the longest serving team member at GDT joining at a time when the tea and coffee round was a lot smaller – he was the start of the team in a way. He has done everything within the business throughout his GDT career from picking orders, and handwriting invoices (yes, he really is that old…) and dealing with our ever-growing customer base developing key relationships with suppliers and clients alike. He took over the planning and logistics system when George went on a holiday and never gave it back. He has developed it from pencil, paper and abacus system capable of handling 800k rolls of turf a year, to a state of the art bespoke computer program that can service 1.5m rolls plus. Dave’s dry sense of humour make him a firm favourite with the team and suppliers, and his ability to consume tea by the bucket is legendary at Tetley. His deep sense of commitment and ownership and communication skills make him the rock of GDT.

Freddie joined GDT in 2013 as a driver, and soon raised the service levels provided with our deliveries, making him a real customer favourite. Freddie’s knowledge of the haulage industry and vehicle compliance elevated his status to fleet manager. Freddie would be known to most as the depot manager of St Albans, where he oversaw the introduction of artificial turf to the company. He now draws on his experience of the landscape industry to head up the sales team and oversee the day to day running of the company. Freddie is integral to the running of GDT, and has pushed the company to make many technological advances.

Julie came into the business and immediately implemented controls and accountability, she has bought order and organisation. Working closely with George, Julie always has headline data available and has contributed massively to improvements in this area of the business. Julie is also responsible for software integration with the SAGE accounting platform she uses. As well as her own role, Julie has offered a huge amount of support to the sales team and has often covered a sales role as well as her own job. Julie’s sense of fun definitely breaks the mould for the accounts department.

Darren started his GDT career in St Albans working under Freddie (never somewhere you would want to find yourself). Darren proved his worth, handling huge volumes of customer collections and in bound deliveries, he worked tirelessly to serve customers and promote the St Albans depot. Darren now finds himself based at head office, where he is demonstrating his true value. He has worked closely with George digitally analysing sales and marketing data. Darren is the driving force behind an overhaul of our website and the development of a new turf ordering app. He has been responsible for a large technology uptake within the business.

Joanna joined the sales team with no experience of telephone sales, but her desire to succeed and her bubbly personality shone through and she was able to win over the customers. Since then, she has progressed to take control of the yard in Olney, bringing efficiency and organisation to collections. Now working in planning and logistics Joanna is getting to grips with a new planning system. Joanna is very popular with customers and her peers; she loves to look after the team and provides breakfast for them every Friday morning.

Shannan joined the sales team just as Covid 19 broke out, consequently she was thrown in right at the deep end with very little training at one of the busiest times the company has experienced. Shannan adapted to the situation, learnt quickly and proved to be a real asset through very challenging times. Shannan now heads up our Millboard sales, identifying many new customers and opportunities which GDT has taken advantage of. Whilst not occupied with Millboard, Shannan is involved in the rebuild of our website and responsible for many of the various social media platforms used by us today. If only she was as engaged with tea making...

Jamie arrived with experience of the landscape industry, but ready for a new challenge. Holding his class one license Jamie began by trunking turf from the turf farms back to our depots. He then grew into a role delivering to our customers on a rigid lorry. Jamie has now mastered a role within the office supporting the sales team. His flexibility and skill sets have made him a most valued member of the team, always willing to fit into the business wherever required. Jamie has developed his very helpful nature and always displays a very empathetic approach on the phones. Team member spotlight: Jamie's Case Study

Jo arrived to us in spring 2021 and although she had no industry related experience, she made it her business to learn quickly and become the go to person on the phones. Jo always brings energy and enthusiasm to any task she takes on and has struck up some great relationships with our customers. Jo has focused on work with the golf courses we supply, and has also managed to attract some new courses as well. Jo is involved in in-house training and has become a key part of the office development. She's also our resident party planner, if there is a good time to be had she will be right at the front making sure it all goes according to plan!

Recently promoted to St Albans branch manager Calvin has big boots to fill, but don’t worry about that. Born in Durban the BFG was reared on a diet of red meat and the gym. Forged from granite he is the perfect guy to head up the stone operation in our St Albans branch. Away from work he embraces the great outdoors and loves the sun (he should be alright for that one week in June we get in this country).  A keen sports fan Calvin has won medals and awards for swimming and rugby. He loves his family time and shooting a few hoops with mates. Definitely off his table is salad and uncertainty, but you can be sure he will offer you a huge welcome in St Albans.

The oracle of all things driving at GDT. Waldemar began working in the Olney yard, breaking down turf and loading Lorries. Waldemar has set the bar for all GDT drivers, with his preparation for deliveries, customer service and ability to overcome problems when put under pressure. He has never been heard to say no when asked to take on more work. So highly thought of is Waldemar that he is often requested for deliveries by regular customers. Team member spotlight: Waldemar​'s Case Study

Wojciech is another cornerstone of our delivery and yard team, he has worked exceptionally hard over the past seven years, both in the yard and out on the lorry. Wojciech is another of the drivers who also holds his class one license, adding more versatility for the company. Always delivering great service, but where did he leave those keys, and those keys, oh and those keys.

Sam joined GDT at a very challenging time, with the on-set of Covid his driver qualification was made very difficult due to the lack of available tests. He then began driving during our busiest ever spring, but testament to Sam he survived and has grown into the role. Sam comes from a landscaping background and maybe it is this that helps him understand how to deliver great service out on site. Sam has received great customer reviews on his service. Team member spotlight: Sam's Case Study

Chris has joined the GDT family this September. His role as driver will see him cut his teeth in the industry delivering across our customer base from building sites to residential properties. His easy smile and fantastic customer service will be huge assets for him as he is one of the faces you will see day in and day out on the front lines for us. Chris comes to us after a career driving Ambulances for the NHS. Although his new ride doesn't come with blue flashing lights, you can still expect your deliveries on time! His cool head and composure under pressure will undoubtedly serve him well on his new path. Team member spotlight: Chris' Case Study

Dawn arrived at the beginning of the year, searching for a new challenge. Well reporting to Freddie, challenged she will be! Dawn has settled in quickly and has been a trainer's dream and soon endeared herself to the primary consumer of tea when she declared she also adds the milk first! Dawn will be bringing energy and enthusiasm and call on a wealth of customer service experience to help her build some great customer relationships. Dawn said she was attracted by the prospect of the grass being greener well at least she's in the right industry. Dawn will fit in really well with the team!  

Nicolle is one of two new signings in the January Transfer Window for the 2023 season. Bought in for her experience in customer service rather than her EXCELLENT taste in football teams (she's a Gooner). Nicolle joins as a beneficiary of a more forward thinking and flexible approach to recruitment at GDT, and will in fact be in the office for only three days a week, (although we will still get our 5 days worth out of her). Nicolle has settled in quickly, and once up to speed promises to provide a 5* service. Arriving with a wealth of experience in customer service and a winners mentality, she will be a great addition to the GDT team!

At the tender age of 22 and passionate about Rugby, football and boxing, Rhys has sustained more injuries than Evel Knievel. Held together by Gaffer tape and a smile, he is always extremely helpful and keen to please. He came to GDT to get some driving experience, but impressed everyone so much with his attitude that he was rewarded with a job. Straight from the carpet industry, Rhys has PILES of experience in customer service, we are still working on his turf knowledge though. On arrival to site recently, he advised a landscaper stood next to some prepared topsoil to pour beer over the area. “Why would I do that?” “Well when your grass starts to grow, it will be already half cut”.

ATTENTION, our latest recruit joins up with over nine years of military service. Serving with the Royal Artillery, Pete was on three tours including an early visit to the Gulf. Watch out because he is more than capable of lighting the touch paper having worked with the rocket launchers. Happy with a different role these days, Pete’s eyes are still firmly set on service, he will be using his twenty years of driving experience to deliver the quality service expected by our customers and all at GDT. Pete’s a big rugby supporter, not so much SAS as SSA (Saracens Supporters Association), George will be looking for a quick turnover and a conversion to the Saints.

Jo has joined the GDT team for 2024 to bolster the customer service and sales teams. She brings with her a wealth of experience in office administration and she’s already settled in nicely having come from an adjacent industry. Jo is always smiling and this warmth and confidence is even evident down the phone when talking to you. Her role will be very customer focused and she describes herself as often finding herself in the right place at the right time. This was very apparent as the first thing she learned was the tea/coffee round for the team – what a star! Jo has a 15 year old son and enjoys yoga to relax. So you can fully expect her to be handing out mini yoga lessons on the lawn once she is settled in, one of her targets will be to see if she can teach Freddie how to touch his toes. We at GDT expect great things from her and we can’t wait to see her journey with us, and we hope you love working with her as much as we do.

John joined the team in 2024 and has taken to his role with vigour, hitting the ground running. With a background in the construction industry, both on the tools and in sales roles, he is eager to learn all he can regarding the landscape industry. A big sports fan, with football and boxing topping the list, he is always delighted to discuss recent results. With a passion for sales and business development, John is very keen to help and advise our customers however he can. Not one to get hot under pressure, John was even spotted wearing his jumper when temperatures hit 28 degrees, showing his cool and composed nature in any situation.

Tom joined the team in May and uses the journey to and from work to live out his wishes to emulate Valentino Rossi on his motor bike, however first he needs to master staying on his bike. Living in Bedford naturally he supports Man United, although to be fair he does get to games when he manages to get a ticket. Tom has a huge respect for birds of prey, so now the big question is will he fight or fly in his quest for survival in the GD tea making round. His early impressions of the office are that “the team are fantastic and this is a great place to work, where there is room to grow and improve yourself” It is great to have Tom ride pillion with GD!

We are always on the lookout for new members to join our ever growing team. Do you want to see YOUR photo here? Send us your CV through our careers page www.georgedaviesturf.co.uk/careers

We are always on the lookout for new members to join our ever growing team. Do you want to see YOUR photo here? Send us your CV through our careers page www.georgedaviesturf.co.uk/careers