An update from the CEO 05 Dec

After 16 years working for the LAS of which 11 were as your CEO, I have made the difficult decision that the time has come for me to move on and look for new opportunities, so this is my last column "From the CEO" for the Society newsletter.

I have introduced many new arms to the business including the growth and diversity of the events business through the introduction of Concerts, Festivals, large Exhibitions, etc. This in turn has supported the Lincolnshire Show and enabled us to increase our educational programme, the number of agricultural events and our charitable work.

I am proud to have played a part in welcoming both the Riseholme Agricultural College and the Edge Eco Housing Development to the Showground. This placed us in a stronger position financially and enabled us to continue to invest in and maintain the Showground infrastructure.

The recent renovation of the Old Exhibition Hall to the EXO Centre including a multi-functional space and Changing places facility will help LAS to be more inclusive and continue to expand our events business and the charity to increase our educational work.

One of the hardest challenges we have faced was steering the society through the pandemic and delivering the Lincolnshire Show after a 2-year gap. I will always be immensely proud of the new team who helped to bring back the Lincolnshire Show many were new to the Society or had not been previously involved in the delivery of the Show.

In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our members, stewards and the team for giving me the opportunity to be CEO. I thank you all for the many years working together. I leave the Showground with fond memories of the last 16 years and with relationships with colleagues, event organisers, suppliers and local businesses that will continue forever.

I also believe I leave the society well-positioned to meet the opportunities and challenges it will be faced with going forward. It has been an honour and a privilege, and the Showground, the Lincolnshire Show and the LAS will always have a special place in my heart.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and every good wish for 2023.

Jayne Southall