Who's Who

Hertfordshire Agricultural Society - General Manager

I joined the Hertfordshire County Show as General Manager and Show Secretary in 2003, after working over 30 years for a major international metals plc. My claim to fame is that my first Hertfordshire County Show was the first ever Agricultural or County Show I had ever attended! Having now completed 8 Shows, I remain motivated by the enormous potential and challenges of raising the profile of our Agricultural and County Shows in the UK.

Mike started his role as Chairman of the Association in February 2011.

Royal Bath & West Show - Administrator

Paul Hooper is Secretary of the ASAO and Administrator of The Royal Bath and West Of England Society. Paul is a well-known figure in the industry having started his career in 1977. Paul has a great deal of experience in most aspects of the agricultural and show world at national level.

Paul is also a Justice of the Peace.  For enjoyment he enjoys listening to Military Music.

Sherborne Castle Country Fair - Show Secretary

Katie started in the role of Assistant Secretary in summer 2011.  She works alongside Paul Hooper, the ASAO Council and ASAO members.

Katie is also the Show Secretary for Sherborne Castle Country Fair in Dorset (held end-May), a post which she has held since 2006.  Prior to this role she was Show Secretary for the North Somerset Agricultural Show.

A farmer's daughter, Katie has long had an interest in agricultural shows having competed with ponies and horses from an early age.  She has had a long association with Somerset Federation of Young Farmers and is a keen supporter of this rural youth movement. 

Devon County Show - Secretary

Ollie has been the Devon County Show Secretary and responsible for the organisation of the County Show since October 1996. Prior to moving to Devon, worked for the Royal Bath & West Society for a total of 15 years.  Ollie is a Vice President of the Devon Federation of Young Farmers Clubs and also a Committee member for Devon RABI. 

Ollie is married to Trevor and has one son, aged 28.

Mrs Sonia Ashworth – Chief Executive, Surrey County Agricultural Society (SCAS)

Sonia was appointed Executive Secretary of SCAS in 1999 with responsibility for organising the Surrey County Show each May plus the annual Ploughing Match and Country Fair every September.  Previously she has worked for the National Trust, British Airways, Consumers Association while also being, for a time, Secretary and Show Organiser of a local Riding Club.  

During Sonia’s 11 years in office, SCAS has moved to its own freehold office in Bramley, enlarged the Ploughing Match, developed close working relationships with local organisations, while joining the Surrey Rural Partnership and holding Surrey Food and Farming Week in September.

Sonia and her husband, Mike, share a keen interest in food (ideally seasonal and local) and wine having been involved in wine businesses and running a delicatessen amongst other enterprises over the years. They have one adult daughter, Harriet (also in the events industry), and enjoy restaurants, entertaining, motorbikes, horses and music.  She is a member of Guildford Rotary Club.

Cheshire Agricultural Society - Executive Director

I was appointed as the Cheshire Agricultural Society’s Executive Director in August 2005 and was thrilled to have been given the fantastic opportunity to build on the existing success of both the Agricultural Society and the Cheshire County Show.

My previous role of 15 years was with The Wildlife Trust at a local and regional level, with responsibilities including corporate sector fundraising, sponsorship, event management, marketing and business development. 

It is with this experience and that of my time as a show organiser that I endeavour to make a positive contribution to the ASAO and its Council. 

I am a firm believer in the power of a good network of contacts, mutually beneficial partnerships and the sharing of best practice.

Show Manager – Newport & District Agricultural Society (NADAS)

Clare was appointed Show Manager and is responsible for the organisation of Newport Show since 2003. Clare visited Newport Show annually during her childhood so has always had a passion for agricultural shows.

Prior to this role, Clare was Procurement Manager of raw materials for a prepared salad and vegetable supplier.

Being a farmer's daughter, Clare has always had a keen interest in agriculture and still helps out at harvest time following the show held on the second Saturday of July.

Clare is married with two small children who she is coaching to be stewards by the time they reach 16!

Royal Welsh Association

Barrie joined the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society as Company Secretary in 2006. Main duties include the running of the Royal Welsh Show, the Winter Fair and Smallholder and Garden Festival at the Showground.

As well as being a farmer's son, he is a qualified solicitor, having been in private practice during the 1980s and was subsequently legal adviser to the Farmer's Union of Wales.

Barrie is married to Heather and they have two children, who have followed their mother into the field of medicine. He enjoys music, especially singing, and he is also a qualified soccer referee.

Westmorland Agricultural Society - Chief Executive

Christine Knipe was appointed as Chief Executive of Westmorland County Agricultural Society in 2005. Part of her role involves organising the Westmorland County Show, held in South Cumbria on the second Thursday in September. She is also Administration Secretary of the North West Federation of Show Secretaries and has been the Honorary Secretary of the industrial section of Cartmel Show since 1992.   

A farmer’s wife, Christine has had an interest in agriculture all her life and grew up helping her father exhibit sheep at many shows. She has a genuine passion for agricultural shows and is not only keen to learn, but also to share, listen and help out when needed. 

Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association - Secretary

Chris Riddle (47) has been Secretary to the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association since 1989 having taken over from his father who was Secretary from 1957. Chris is only the Association's ninth Secretary since its formation back in 1793 and, at the time of his appointment was probably the youngest ever Secretary of a major three-day show in the UK. 

Chris is married with two children and is involved with a number of other organisations including being a Trustee and County Chairman of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, a Governor of Wadebridge CP School, Honorary Secretary and Past Chairman of the Huers Farming Club, Honorary Secretary and Past Chairman of the Ken Thomas Charitable Trust, Honorary Secretary of Wadebridge Prime Stock Show Association, Honorary Life Member of the Royal Smithfield Club and a former County Vice President of the Cornwall Federation of YFCs.