GCMA Insights

Topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs and exploring the world of Golf Club Management. Find out what some of the leading Golf Club Managers in the UK have to say on key issues for golf and club management.
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‘If you don’t have a water source, you don’t have a golf club’

Expert Dr Tom Young sounds a warning over water security, which is now a business-critical issue for golf clubs. This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs. If you haven’t already made water security a top priority at your golf club, now is the time. The future of your course — and, ultimately, your club’s viability — depends on it. That’s the compelling message delivered by Dr Tom Young, a recognised expert in sustainable agronomy and water management, during a panel discussion on water…

‘Future Ready’ — preparing you for what comes next

The 2025 Golf Club Management Conference & Exhibition is just around the corner and it promises to be an unmissable event. This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs. Running from 16th–18th November at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park, the event offers attendees a comprehensive programme of education, networking, and practical insights. This year’s ‘Future Ready’ theme will explore how golf clubs can remain adaptable and forward-thinking in a rapidly changing industry. GCMA CEO Tom Brooke highlighted how the Conference offers a prime…

Could short-term thinking be holding your golf club back?

David Shepherd, Chief Executive at The Wisley, will urge golf club leaders to resist short-term thinking and plan strategically to safeguard long-term prosperity. This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs. Golf clubs are enjoying a period of relative strength in the post-Covid era. Memberships are buoyant, interest in the game is high, and many clubs are in healthier financial positions than they were five years ago. But, warns David Shepherd, Chief Executive at The Wisley, there is a risk that prosperity could encourage…

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John Steele

John Steele is a former professional athlete, sports coach, Olympic Leader and is the Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University. He has been Chief Executive across a range of sectors. Drawing on leadership experience of nine different Olympic and Paralympic Games (including the amazing events at the Rio Games), John reflects on the lessons from this unique period in British sport and relays his fascinating views on creating high performing teams.

Indeed, inspired from PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, by the most successful performance ever for Team GB, he has a whole host of new business and leadership insights into how this was brilliant performance was achieved and how it can translate back into your organisation.

John moved into the corporate world, before he enjoyed an outstanding career as a professional rugby player achieving international honours. After his playing career, he turned his hand to coaching and achieved the highest accolade for a British club coach by winning the European Cup with Northampton Saints. He then became Executive Director on the Saints Board during a period of unprecedented growth, and served on the England Rugby Board during the successful world cup campaign of 2003. It was no surprise that John’s talents were called upon to drive through a change and modernisation programme as CEO of the Rugby Football Union – a challenge that became controversial and ended in his departure from the post after only a year, but with his dignity and professional pride intact.

Headhunted by UK Sport, John took up post as CEO the day before London won the 2012 Olympic bid – and this promising start was sustained as he embarked on developing the UK’s high performance sport system, which he led for a six-year period of unprecedented success through the Beijing and London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Post-London 2012, with the Olympic legacy in place and an obligation to continue inspiring a generation, John took up his post as Group Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust. He has also succeeded Steve Cram as Chairman of the English Institute of Sport, an organisation described as ‘the team behind the team’, which delivers a range of performance impacting solutions to over 40 Olympic and Paralympic sports and some non-Olympic sports.

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Dr Jo Salter MBE

Dr Jo Salter MBE is famed for becoming the first female fast jet pilot, having flown the Panavia Tornado ground attack aircraft during her services in the Royal Air Force. Joining the RAF aged 18, Jo has since taken Air Cadets into the skies as part of Air Experience Flights, become the Director of Global Transformative Leadership for PWC, and most recently become a Global Advisory of GenAI for PwC.

Jo has piloted flights in the Air Cadets Air Experience Flights and inspired countless budding armed service members to pioneer a male-dominated sector, having been the leader of an all-male squadron. Since leaving the military behind, Jo has established a strong business career working in roles such as Head of Technical Services for NetConnect, European Operations Manager for Automated Power Exchange and Managing Director of Saltin Ltd.

Having developed first-class expertise in leadership, analytical thinking and performing under pressure, Jo is now a highly sought-after public speaker to share stories from her time in the skies.

Jo is a passionate Trustee of The Royal Air Force Club and an Ambassador of the Global Angels charity, an organisation that gives communities around the world access to clean water, education, healthcare and encourages female and youth empowerment. Jo has also authored two books, titled Energy: 52 Ways to Fire Up Your Life and Become an Energy Angel and Energize: Spring Clean Your Mind and Body to Get Your Bounce Back Today and Every Day.

In recognition of her achievements throughout her career, Jo has also been named as one of the 50 Most Inspiring Women in the World by Harpers & Queen. She is now working as the Director of Global Transformation Leadership at PWC, after working in other roles such as Director of Risk Technology Strategy, Director Chief of Staff to Head of Technology & Investments and the Director of People & Organisations.

In 2022, Jo was invited personally by Tom Cruise to attend the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. Most recently, Jo received an honorary doctorate of Arts from Bournemouth University.