Dairy farmer Rachel Coates will make history as the first female to take over the role of Show Director of the Great Yorkshire Show.
First female Show Director appointed to lead Great Yorkshire Show Dairy farmer Rachel Coates will make history as the first female to take over the role of Show Director of the Great Yorkshire Show. Rachel, from Shipley, West Yorkshire, will take over from Charles Mills who has been Show Director since 2016. The handover will take place immediately after this year’s Show from Tuesday July 9 to Friday July 12 – which will be the 165th Great Yorkshire Show. Rachel said:
“I am honoured to be taking over the reins as Show Director from Charles who’s done an amazing job over the last eight years. "I have been coming to the Show since I was 18 which is when I got the bug for it. My aim will be to promote the Show to the younger generations so that it continues to flourish and grow.”Charles Mills said:
“I can’t think of a better candidate to hand over the reins to and I know Rachel will take the show from strength to strength.”Rachel is a member of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society Council and farms a mixture of tenanted and owned land on the edge of Baildon Moor and the urban fringe. She has been part of the GYS cattle committee for a number of years and Rachel’s family have shown dairy cattle at The Great Yorkshire Show for around 15 years, winning Holstein Champion for two years running in 2023 and 2022. Rachel has worked in advertising, retail, education, and agriculture, and is currently a director of a Community Interest Company which runs her local farmer’s market. Passionate about British food, Rachel is also a member of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s Women In Farming Network and enjoys volunteering at the Society’s Countryside Days for schoolchildren at the Great Yorkshire Showground. Allister Nixon, CEO of Yorkshire Agricultural Society said:
“I am absolutely delighted that following a rigorous interview and selection process Rachel has been appointed to the role of Show Director. "We wish her every success with her role and look forward to working with her to deliver future Great Yorkshire Shows.”Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

New Harrogate sensory room opens in memory of baby Noah
New fines proposed to tackle illegal tobacco and vape sales in North Yorkshire
Harrogate hospital praised by patients after 'Good' CQC rating
Harrogate food hall launches unique pickle-filled Christmas hamper
North Yorkshire councillors could receive 2.6 per cent allowance rise
Plans for new multi-billion pound approach to care services
Allerton Castle Christmas experience set to return
Ryanair announce new flights from Leeds Bradford Airport
Starbeck Badger of the Year shares lifesaving skills with classmates
Leeds Bradford Airport strikes suspended as fresh pay talks planned
Irving Weaver appointed Life President of Harrogate Town AFC
Farm near Ripon scoops national farming award
WATCH: Magical woodland trail to support Masham primary school
Fountains Abbey prepares to host two-day Christmas market
New society aims to revive Harrogate's spa heritage
Inherited jewellery: where do you start?
Man found dead at property on Franklin Road in Harrogate
Killinghall Village Hall goes greener with £27,000 improvement project
Driver caught at 131mph ordered to pay over £1,500 at Harrogate court
Knaresborough toilets upgraded after recent vandalism


