The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) has announced the appointment of Alan Crowe as its new chief executive.

The RUAS is the organisation behind Balmoral Show and the Winter Fair, and has a membership of 2,500, with 17 permanent staff.

Crowe was previously the chief executive for Northern Ireland Co-Ownership Housing and its subsidiary Own-Co for almost 14 years. A chartered director, he has also worked with regional/central and local government. He also spent several years working for the National Farmers’ Union and Mutual.

He replaces Colin McDonald, who is retiring from the position after 10 years in the job. During McDonald's tenure, the RUAS purchased the 65-acre site at the former Maze prison site outside Lisburn in 2012 and moved the Balmoral Show and Winter Fair from the King’s Hall in Belfast to the new site in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

Following the appointment, Crowe said: "I am delighted and excited to be returning to work within the agricultural sector and look forward to working with the team at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society."

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