MARY Quicke MBE, Chairman of the Council of the Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA), announced on Monday, April 16, that the Board of Management has approved the appointment of Sam Mackenzie-Green as the new Devon County Show Manager.

Ollie Allen, the current Show Secretary, announced her decision to retire earlier in the year and the 2018 County Show will be her last after 22 years in the role.

Sam Mackenzie-Green is currently the Event Director at Yeovil Show and will take up the position in mid-August after the July Yeovil Show and a hand-over period with Ollie Allen.

Mary Quicke said: “We were fortunate to have had an excellent field of well qualified candidates for the post, but Sam’s experience, knowledge and dedication to the Show-world made her the stand-out candidate for the role.

“Reporting to our Chief Executive Richard Maunder, and working closely with our DCAA staff, officers and volunteers, I am sure that the Devon County Show will continue to move forward with her enthusiasm, energy and expertise.”

Sam has worked in the event and agricultural show world for nearly 20 years, formerly as Secretary for the Dorchester Agricultural Society and latterly re-establishing the Yeovil Show.

She has both experience of managing the challenges of a volunteer charity organisation and the running of a larger Show, as well as the attention to detail required to re-establish a successful two-day Show.

Sam will continue her close links with the Yeovil Show as a non executive director and is a Council member of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO).

Sam commented: “I am delighted to be joining the excellent team at the Devon County Show, an event that has always impressed me with its diversity and quality.

“Ollie has done a superb job over the last 22 years and will certainly be a hard act to follow, but I am looking forward to the challenge and meeting all those involved with the organising of Devon’s ‘big day out’.

“I am incredibly grateful for the good wishes and support I have received from my friends and colleagues at the Yeovil Show, Dorset County Show and wider show community.”

The 2018 Devon County Show will be held on May 17, 18 and 19 at Westpoint, near Exeter.