The SSL team are proud to combine over 80 years experience working in the niche sports facility industry. Offering a unique blend of industry specific knowledge, team members draw on past experience working for sports facility contractors, consultants & turf manufacturers. This diverse knowledge base provides genuine benefits to our clients. All of our team are fully DBS checked.
Steve Wilcockson
Managing Director
Having been employed within the leisure industry for almost 30 years, Steve founded SSL in 2004. A highly respected figure in the industry, Steve has an expansive knowledge of synthetic sports facility design and construction. Under Steve’s guidance, the company has gone from strength to strength and has been a specialist consultant employed as part of the AGP Framework agreement, responsible for the design and delivery of hundreds of Football Foundation funded projects. As an industry expert, Steve has been engaged to provide seminar presentations regarding the development of synthetic turf sports facilities and is regularly in contact with the major sports governing bodies.
Outside Work…… A former member of the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, Steve has represented the UK Armed Forces in the Diving Championships in Berlin.
Wesley Bugg
Director
Since joining SSL in 2008, Wesley has been an integral part in the success of SSL and maintaining the company’s position as one of the most respected sports facility consultancy’s in the UK. Meticulous to detail, Wesley has worked on a significant volume of sports facility projects. Wesley’s knowledge of CAD design in conjunction with design principles/industry guidelines specific to sports facility construction, continues to benefit a wide range of clients including clubs, schools, universities, local authorities, contractors and major UK sports governing bodies.
Outside Work…… As a former winter sports instructor, Wesley is a keen snowboarder and Sunday league football player (still retaining aspirations of one day playing for Spurs!)
John Bennett
Consultant
Over the course of 23 successful years in the industry, John has been involved in over 3000 sports facility projects. John has worked alongside major sporting bodies including the US Olympic Committee, FA, RFU, Sport England, England Hockey, Scottish Hockey & Hockey Wales. John has substantial experience in the design, development and construction of synthetic turf pitches (both in the UK and internationally), athletics tracks, multi-use games areas (MUGA’s) and innovative rooftop pitches. Prior to joining SSL, John gained over a decade of experience in project design, cost control and contract management for a major UK pitch contractor and has also been engaged as a facility design advisor to a major UK sports governing body.
Outside Work…… John has completed the Great North Run on 13 occasions, the London Marathon and a 40 mile event in Cumbria, raising thousands of pounds for various charities in the process.
Find out more via John’s LinkedIn profile
Michael Eastman
Design Consultant
Michael is a product of the world renowned Loughborough University sports department having graduated with a degree in Sport Technology. With extensive AutoCAD expertise, sports lighting design knowledge and experience in sports facility drainage design, Michael provides a vital resource and has progessed to play a key role as part of the SSL team.
Outside Work…… A talented hockey player, Michael has played as a top flight goalkeeper for both Loughborough and Canterbury, and was an Under 18 National Plate winner in both 2017 & 2018.
Oliver Pennington
Consultant
Oliver heads up the planning application work carried out by SSL. Prior to joining the company, Oliver gained 16 years of experience working as a Planning Officer. Oliver has enhanced SSL’s planning application offering providing vital first-hand knowledge for what is a key aspect of our consultancy. In addition to providing a fresh perspective into the overall planning application process, Oliver has also successfully completed CAD training to provide further support to the SSL team structure.
Outside Work……Oliver follows Leicester City FC and also volunteers as a football coach for the local junior team.
George Thorne
Consultant
George has almost a decade of experience working within the sports facility industry during which time he has developed excellent knowledge of various construction practices. George has specific understanding of sports field accreditation and has carried out site testing on facilities across the world. As well as being a key player in terms of the construction stage project management and quality control processes, George provides vital input and support on the various other aspects of SSL’s consultancy including feasibility stage work and design.
Outside Work……George is a keen rugby and football fan following Harlequins and Nottingham Forest FC.
Luke Storey
Consultant
Having graduated with a Masters degree in Sports Technology from Loughborough University, Luke possesses vital CAD knowledge and has previous experience within the synthetic pitch industry as a field technician. Luke provides important support and resource to SSL’s facility design service.
Outside Work…… Luke has worked together with Loughborough University and Leicester City FC helping set up a community football training sessions for refugees.