Meet Ashley Appleby, International Sales Manager UK, ROI & Southern Africa at Polytan
From township cricket to cutting-edge sports surfaces, Ashley Appleby is a champion for the transformational power of sport
South Africa-born Ashley Appleby grew up passionate about sports. Athletics, swimming, and (of course) cricket and rugby were a huge part of his life and education. Based in the UK since 2016, he’s the International Sales Manager for Polytan, bringing his love for sport and its transformational powers to his work with Polytan to help shape world-class sports facilities.
Ashley in his cricket playing days 3rd from left - back row
Tell us a bit about where you grew up.
I grew up in Cape Town but moved to Johannesburg for most of my schooling, and this is where my love for sports really took off. I was senior sportsman of the year at school, captain of swimming, athletics, cricket, and rugby, and I received a bursary to study at the University of Witwatersrand due to my cricket. I studied Law and Business, but sport was definitely the vehicle that brought me to where I am now.
How did you get started in the sports business?
My first job was at Sportsmans Warehouse, a big South African retail chain that was growing quickly and had these massive outlets. I moved up the ranks and was Head of Seasonal Sports at 20. After that, I was the National Sales Manager for Flicx, which made portable roll-up cricket pitches that allowed cricket to be played anywhere, even in rural or township areas.
With Surrey Cricket and Flicx at The Oval
How impactful was sport during apartheid?
My time at Flicx was during South Africa’s transition from apartheid, and sport played a major role in uniting the country. To take cricket into a township area or a rural school area and roll out a portable cricket pitch was just great, because you’re allowing cricket to be played anywhere, and you’re bringing it to people who might not otherwise have had the chance to play. It was a great opportunity to help with the transition and to grow the sport I love.
“Different people work in different ways, so you need to be open-minded, empathetic and a good communicator to get the best out of people.”
You made the move from entrepreneur to big business. What motivated that?
I had a successful business in Johannesburg, manufacturing custom sports attire and importing gear for schools and clubs. But when an opportunity to move to the UK as a Business Development Manager came up, I grabbed it.
I wasn’t planning to leave that job, but I had a meeting over a cup of coffee with Polytan’s MD and I knew it was the perfect fit. On the way home I was talking to my wife, saying “I’ve got this fire in my belly! This is what I want to do.” Their reputation as the world’s largest artificial sports surface manufacturer, their Olympic Games connection, the fact that it’s made in Germany was all just so impressive and I had to be a part of it.
How did your previous roles prepare you for your position at Polytan?
They’ve all been steppingstones that have helped me understand B2B business better, from retail to wholesale. I learned at a young age how to grow a sales strategy and take care of customers, and then managing teams and developing businesses gave me the additional skills for my work with Polytan.
What does your role as International Sales Manager involve?
I wear a few hats. My primary focus is growing Polytan’s sales in the UK and Republic of Ireland, but I also manage sales in Southern Africa. Day to day, I ensure our partners—architects, consultants, and contractors—are well supported. We’re working on innovative projects, especially around sustainability and green technology and we have about 240 tenders on the go this year.
Ashley's British Citizenship Ceremony
Ashley with childhood cricket idol Allan Donald at Trent Bridge
What excites you most about your work?
Being able to innovate, especially around sustainability and green technology is exciting. I love being involved in putting these pitches and tracks together, because seeing a project come to life is incredibly satisfying.
You’ve been managing teams since a young age. What have you learned about leadership?
Different people work in different ways, so you need to be open-minded, empathetic and a good communicator to get the best out of people. I also believe in leading from the front—jumping in and working alongside the team. When you do that, the results speak for themselves and generate repeat business.
Ashley's son's football team become reigning champions with him as coach
What has been the most challenging project you’ve worked on?
My most challenging sales project at Sport Group was actually my first sale, not because I was unprepared or inexperienced, but because the market and our clients are very knowledgeable, and the stakes are high. It takes time to gain trust, to prove that you’re going to be there every step of the way, so you need to really listen, be resilient, and keep showing up.
And your favorite project?
That would be Derby Rugby Club, where we installed a sustainable, carbon-zero turf system using organic infill. It’s the first of its kind in the UK, and the environmental benefits are massive. The old pitch used to flood, sending microplastics into the river. With our new system, we’ve dramatically reduced its environmental impact. It’s a project I’m really proud of.
Ashley coaching his son's football team to victory
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I love reading crime fiction—it’s a great way to unwind and just get away from the usual day-to-day stuff. My kids are also really sporty, so I spend a lot of weekends at their games. And I love going on walks with my wife. It’s amazing how a chat and a walk can make any problem seem smaller.
I used to play a lot of cricket, but these days, I put almost all my energy into work. I love what I do, so it doesn’t feel like work most of the time.