THE new head of the Great Yorkshire Show has been announced.

Charles Mills, who farms near York, is due to succeed Bill Cowling as honorary show director at the close of this year’s event in Harrogate on Thursday, July 16.

Mr Cowling is stepping down after ten years in his post, although his involvement will continue as a member of the cattle committee.

Over the years Mr Mills has held a number of roles within the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, including joint chief cattle steward and as a member of the society’s council.

Away from the showground his roles include chairing the Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network, which raises concerns and issues from the county’s rural businesses and farmers to government.

Announcing the appointment, society chairman, Simon Theakston said: “I am delighted that Charles is to be our new honorary show director, succeeding Bill at the close of this year’s Great Yorkshire.

“He will continue the society’s strong tradition of putting agriculture and rural life at the heart of our flagship event, as well as the continued success of our autumn event, Countryside Live.”

A Yorkshireman by birth, Mr Mills farms at Woolas Grange, Appleton Roebuck, York which is a mixed arable rotation, with a 250 ewe flock as well as a small beef finishing enterprise.

He has been a member of council since 2002, chairing the judging panel for the annual Tye Trophy Farming Awards which promotes farming excellence coupled with conservation practices, and has been a cattle steward for the last 11 years.

Mr Mills has also played a significant role in the society’s work with young people, serving on its Grants and Education Committee and running arable workshops at the Countryside Days event for primary school children held each June. He is also a member of the management committee of the Future Farmers of Yorkshire which was set up and is run by the society.

Closer to home he is Vice Chairman of the Ainsty (2008) Internal Drainage Board, a past President of Tadcaster and Wetherby Young Farmers and a member of both the NFU and CLA.

A first taste of his new position will come at this year’s Great Yorkshire which runs from Tuesday, July 14 to Thursday, July 16 when he will shadow his predecessor before accepting the crook of office in the show’s closing ceremony.