She welcomed Elton John to Harrogate - among much else - but now stalwart of Yorkshire Event Centre is moving on

Heather Parry, Managing Director of the Yorkshire Event Centre Ltd, is to move on to a new chapter after nearly three decades.

The widely-admired Heather is set to take a break after an incredible innings, where she has taken the business from strength to strength.

Heather’s drive, passion and determination was behind the creation of Fodder, farm shop and café in 2009 and the multi-million pound refurbishment of the Yorkshire Event Centre in 2016.

More recently, she helped diversify the business further by taking on the management of three farming based associations; the Farm Retail Association, British Christmas Tree Growers Association and National Farm Attractions Network.

Heather has also overseen moving the UK’s biggest outdoor holiday home show from Hull to Harrogate and her team has taken on the organisation of the Great Holiday Home Show – which will take place in September and be her last event before leaving on Friday, September 29.

Heather said: “I am so proud of the things that have been achieved working with an amazing team.

"When I arrived the income from activities outside the Great Yorkshire Show was £40k so we have come a long way to the current £7million.

"There have been so many highs; from welcoming President Bill Clinton and Sir Elton John, among many others, to creating Fodder and building Hall 1.

“My career here has been wonderfully diverse; with people at the heart of it all; I feel so lucky to have worked with a myriad of clients, dedicated suppliers and a phenomenal team who have been a joy to nurture and develop.

"After 30 years it is now time to hand the baton on and seek new adventures.”

Heather came to Great Showground Showground in Harrogate fresh from London after working at Earls Court Exhibition Centre marketing large events including, The Royal Smithfield Show and The Royal Tournament.

She started as Marketing Manager of the Great Yorkshire Show and, while in this post, she oversaw the building of the Pavilions of Harrogate which held its first event in 1996.

Heather was soon promoted to Managing Director of the commercial arm of the Showground overseeing the Pavilions of Harrogate and the Yorkshire Event Centre (YEC).

In 2001, Heather oversaw the building of Hall 2 of the YEC which went on to host a range of prestigious and high profile events including the Yorkshire International Business Convention which would bring world class figures to the region: from Mikhail Gorbachev, the former president of the Soviet Union to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the former US Secretary of State Dr Henry Kissinger.

The YEC has gone on to become the largest single event space in the North East after a recent £11 million refurbishment of Hall 1.

This has been YAS’s biggest capital investment and largest project in its 186-year history.

Within 12 months of opening, it scooped a national award after winning ‘Best Venue Under 8,000sqm’ in the Exhibition News Awards – and there were a lot more awards to come.

Heather was also behind the idea of creating Fodder, farm shop and café to support farmers in the aftermath of foot and mouth.

Fodder is the only farm shop in the UK where 100% of profits go back to farmers through charity (Yorkshire Agricultural Society).

Fodder stocks and supports more than 430 local suppliers.

Heather also led the transformation of a disused area on the Showground into what is now the Harrogate Caravan Park.

With 67 pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents.

The growth of the commercial side of the showground, means more money is raised for the farming community through the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

Allister Nixon, CEO of The Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “Heather has had a huge impact on the business, being instrumental in shaping and forming what we are today with vision and sheer hard work. Heather will leave an amazing legacy to be proud of.

“She has been part of the fabric of the Society for so many years and I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Heather for her hard work, dedication and significant contributions and wish her the very best in her future endeavours.”