Paul Fraser has stepped down with immediate effect as Chair of the EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC) and from its Board. The decision comes at a time when the industry is experiencing challenging times.
By: Guy Oldenkotte
Fraser, a Senior Director at Tarkett Sports, had been Chair of the industry body for close to 18 months and still had six months left before his term was due to expire.
He announced his decision in a social media post earlier this week. “I have always held that safety, performance and ethical behaviour are non-negotiable foundations for our industry, and that the role of a trade association is to champion those things, especially when it is difficult to do so. Staying true to that belief means recognising when it is time to step aside,” he said, before wishing CEO Stefan Diderich and the ESTC team well for the future.
Approached for comment, Diderich said that the decision was “very unfortunate”. “A board meeting has been scheduled for mid-June. We will appoint an interim Chair before a new Chair is elected at the end of the year.”
A hot seat
ESTC is the custodian of the synthetic turf industry in the EMEA region. Over the past eight years, the organisation has increased its influence by rallying the industry and representing it in forums hosted by authorities such as the European Commission and FIFA. In doing so, it has helped change the perception of synthetic turf from being a product that ‘adds more plastic to the environment’ to a solution that offers benefits in sport, environmental management and public infrastructure.
However, alongside the growing popularity of the product, competition has intensified and, in some cases, become cut-throat, putting the Chair of the organisation sometimes in a difficult position.
Meanwhile, the industry is also experiencing growing scrutiny from a market that is becoming increasingly environmentally conscious.
All in all, Fraser’s closing words in his message were telling: “There is so much important work still to be done in this industry…”
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Protocol
ESTC will now have to elect a new Chair to serve the remaining six months of the term. Together with the CEO, the ESTC Board of Directors consists of ten members. These members are each elected for a period of three years. The Chair of the Board is elected from among its members and serves a two-year term.
It is a voluntary position at a time that is already demanding in many respects. The various geopolitical conflicts affecting the production and trade of oil, the growing demand for wear-resistant sports and leisure surfaces, the increasing shortage of critical skills in many developing countries, and the polarisation that is becoming part and parcel of public debate around the world all place significant demands on the time and resources available.
Chairing an industry body that seeks to unite the sector and ensure that the industry has a voice within legislative circles that are pursuing much broader agendas is no easy task.
ESTC CEO Stefan Diderich remains positive.
“The Board of ESTC remains fully committed to the organisation’s mission and priorities. With a strong and experienced Board in place, I’m confident that a suitable successor will be identified from within its ranks to provide leadership during a period in which significant work remains to be done for the synthetic turf industry and its stakeholders.”
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