I LIVE just outside the village of Doagh in Co Antrim and have done so all my life. I live with my 14 year-old son, Sam and Buddy, our Miniature Schnauzer. After university, I started my working life as an estate agent but, after a few years, I changed my career path and commenced my employment with the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society as a management trainee.

I am still here after 29 years and now hold the position of Operations Director.

1. Favourite part of your job?

I love the variety of my job and the people I meet from all walks of life.

2. When was the RUAS founded?

The North East Agricultural Association of Ireland was formed in 1854. In 1903 the RUAS was honoured with a Royal title and so the North East Agricultural Association of Ireland became the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society.

3. Moving from the historic Kings Hall to a brand-new site in 2013 – a major undertaking?

Yes, it was. It was a big decision to take but now, after seven years on our new site, it was the right decision. The Balmoral Show had outgrown the 35 acres at the Kings Hall and we needed space to grow and develop the show. Moving to the new 65-acre site at Balmoral Park in Lisburn has allowed us to extend the Show and grow our attendance.

The challenges came with trying to get the site ready in time for the first show in May 2013. I remember watching the top coat of tarmac being, laid outside my office door on the Monday and the Show was due to open on Wednesday morning – it was all very stressful but it all came together in the end.

5. How long was the move in the planning?

For many years the Society had talked about either acquiring more land adjacent to the Kings Hall site or moving to a new location. The move to Balmoral Park was in the pipeline for about three years before we actually moved. The RUAS and the Show are now very well established at Balmoral Park.

The Eikon Exhibition Centre at Balmoral Park is now the largest exhibition space in the province and we have hosted many events here over the past seven years.

6. Describe the planning timeline for Balmoral Show?

Planning for the next show starts almost as soon as previous show is over. In June/July there are a series of debrief meeting with the committees and all the various agencies. Over the summer, judges are invited and some pre-planning done. Trade stands go on sale in September and the schedule of classes and programme are finalised.

Work ramps up in January with livestock entries opening mid-February and closing mid-March. Preparations start on the Showgrounds mid-March and press and social media activity kicks off as we countdown to the Show.

Our staff are still on furlough but working part-time from home. We have started plans for the 2021 Show to run from May 12th-15th.

7. How many staff/volunteers does it take to run Balmoral Show?

We have 19 employees, including office and ground staff, over 250 voluntary stewards and 50 ‘show makers’ from the ‘Volunteer Now’ organisation.

8. What is it about the Show that attracts such a cross-section of visitors?

Balmoral Show is such a well-established event and has grown rapidly since our move to Balmoral Park. The Show really does have something for everyone regardless of their background or interests.

Agriculture has always been the heart of Balmoral Show and the other attractions are an added bonus. Introducing a Saturday back in 2017 has been a major success and has become very much a family day out.

9. Favourite part of the show?

My favourite part of the Show is the show jumping. I try to take some time out to watch the international Grand Prix on the Friday evening of the Show.

10. What’s the most difficult part of the job?

Co-ordinating the internal car and lorry parking within the site during the Balmoral Show. It’s in such high demand from both livestock and trade exhibitors.

11. And then Covid-19. The show was originally moved to August and then cancelled. A major decision to cancel for 2020?

It was a difficult decision but we really had no choice but to cancel. The health, safety and wellbeing of all our stakeholders and visitors is our priority. May 2020 was never going to be achievable as we were right at the peak of the pandemic and we had hoped that there might have been a chance of running the show in August.

This decision was taken in April and we worked through April planning for an August show but it soon became clear that even this was not going to happen and before both livestock and trade exhibitors started to incur costs, we made the disappointing decision to cancel the 2020 show.

12. Will any events take place in 2020 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, where the Show is held?

We have hosted a number of events at the Eikon Centre over the past few weeks including a drive-in movie, the Ulster Farmers Union drive-in Annual General Meeting and the SJAI Northern Region show jumping championships.

We are also hoping to run our own events later in the year, including the Beef & Lamb championships and the RUAS Winter Fair.

13. Best advice you’ve been given?

A previous chief executive of the RUAS once gave me sound advice that I always take on board: ‘By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail’.

14. Favourite horse/rider combination?

My favourite Irish rider is Conor Swail, (anyone who knows me will know that!) and my favourite horse/rider combination was Nick Skelton and Big Star.

15. How did you deal with lockdown?

At the start of lockdown I tried to keep to a daily routine of an early morning walk. This was easy when the weather was good but my dedication waned as the weeks went on. I also did do some baking but the novelty of that wore off quickly as I found I was eating most of what I baked!

I did a big clear out of my house and set up an eBay account, selling off all my unwanted clutter.

16. Favourite getaway corner of the world?

I’d have to say the north coast of Northern Ireland. I love a good weekend away by the sea. Or, if it’s abroad, I love the island of Ibiza with its lovely weather and beautiful beaches.

17. Social media – yes or no?

I do use social media, mainly Facebook and Instagram.

Personally, I find it very handy for keeping up with friends and family, especially those who are living in different parts of the world.

For work, it is great to keep up to date with lots of organisations including the RDS, Royal Highland Show and Northern Ireland Shows Association.

18. Inspiration – who inspires you?

Not really one particular person, but in general I am inspired by people who have the motivation and determination to aim high and achieve their goals.

19. One must-have gadget?

It would have to be my mobile phone. I don’t know how we ever managed without them.

20. Who would you like to invite to ‘Come Dine With Me?’

Robbie Williams to entertain me; Coleen Nolan from Loose Women, she’d be good craic; Michael McIntyre to keep us all laughing; Jo Malone for some sound business chat; J K Rowling, as I think she would be interesting, and Conor Swail, of course.