The Royal Welsh will be looking for a new chief executive as it looks ahead to organising the 2022 Royal Welsh Show.

Chief executive Mr Steve Hughson has announced his retirement after giving nearly 10 years loyal service to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and the 2022 show will be his last in the post.

He has given 10 months’ notice to ease the handover process.

"The greatest investment a show society can make is to appoint an industrious and committed Chief Executive, that we did a decade ago. At that time Steve indicated that he would dedicate ten years of his life as leader of the society and he has done so with distinction,” said board chairman John T Davies.

“As Steve retires from office after the 2022 show, we will have an opportunity to reflect on a very successful tenure of growth and stability. Steve has most definitely put the society on sound footings at a time of unprecedented challenge. The society owes Steve a huge debt of gratitude, it’s been a pleasure to work alongside him.’’

The society plans to appoint a new chief executive before the summer show in order to have a handover period in the lead-up to events. The role will be advertised in the coming weeks.

The society is also looking for a new vice-chair of its council after previous vice-chair, Welsh cob breeder Nicola Davies, became the first female chair of the RWAS council.
She appointed as the new chair following Mr David Lewis’ decision to retire after over 40 years of dedicated service to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. 
Mrs Davies, from Cribyn, Ceredigion, becomes the first female to be appointed as the chair of council in the society’s history.