To mark yesterday’s International Women’s Day 2022, Three Counties are celebrating the fact its last eight appointments have all been women.
From different backgrounds, career channels and with a range of ages and experience, these women are said to join at a vibrant, exciting time for the Showground and bring their talents and experience to the existing team.
Chief executive, Ken Nottage said: “The number eight itself is recognised as a prestigious number, symbolising achievement, good business sense, powerful presence and a strong drive for success. Eight represents balance and with balance comes stability, control and support – all contributing to being the most productive environment to work in. And in Chinese culture, eight is the luckiest number of all. We’re certain our eight new female colleagues will flourish with these auspicious associations!”
In the ‘Shows’ department, Alice Arnold, Jayne Unwin, Sophie Vick, Samantha Jones and Kate Dufton have joined.
Alice Arnold is the lead on Royal Three Counties Show. She has extensive experience of sponsorship and project management of live events and has organised the North Herefordshire Mounted Games at the Showground, so knows the venue well. Alice has a BSc (Hons) in Rural Enterprise and Land Management from Harper Adams University and has a passion and comprehensive knowledge of farming and rural life.
Jayne Unwin is education executive and has worked in early years and primary education with an MA Education (Early Years) from University of Worcester. She has extensive experience of systems engineering, project management and auditing prior to moving into the field of education.
Sophie Vick started in January as shows executive for Royal Three Counties Show. She was previously an event and wedding planner at Bredenbury Barns and runs her own business, ‘Muddy Knees Go Karts’, selling wooden outdoor kits for families, exhibiting twice at the Royal Three Counties Show.
Kate Dufton joined in February as shows executive for the Malvern Autumn Show. She recently worked on the ‘Sydney Royal Easter Show’, Australia’s largest outdoor event with more than one million visitors. She graduated with a 1st from Sheffield Hallam University with a BSc (Hons) in Events Management.
Samantha Jones has joined as graduate shows co-ordinator whilst she completes her BSc (Hons) degree in Events and Festival Management at the University of Shrewsbury. She also has a FDA Rural Events Management qualification from University Centre Reaseheath.
Moving into other areas of the business, we welcome Kirsty Adams as PA to the chief executive. Kirsty worked at Russell & Co solicitors for 11 years as a legal PA and paralegal specialising in rural conveyancing. Kirsty has a BA (Hons) degree in Equine Studies with Business Management and a specialist paralegal qualification in residential conveyancing.
And finally, onto the marketing team with two appointments, Briony Watkins and Suzi Freely.
Briony has quickly become a crucial member of the team taking on responsibilities for digital and social media. She uses her graphic design skills to create exciting media posts and campaigns supporting all the shows at the Three Counties and has a keen eye for analysis and reporting. She previously worked at arrangeMY as a business travel consultant and has freelanced for local businesses. Briony graduated from the University of Worcester in 2021 with a 1st class BA (Hons) in Marketing, Advertising and PR, and was awarded two academic scholarship awards.
Suzi will be working across all the shows in 2022, providing marketing and promotion for each event. She has a BA (Hons) Law and Society and BA (Hons) Law from University of Exeter although her career has been in marketing, sponsorship, and events. Suzi has worked for Harlequins Rugby Club, Natural History Museum, Sky and recently as a flexible marketing consultant whilst volunteering in her local community, fundraising for several charities, and bringing up two children.
A statement from Three Counties added: It’s definitely not just luck that brings these eight women to the Three Counties – all are educated, professional, experienced in their fields. Already they’ve made a difference, shown tremendous dedication, and shown their passion and interest in rural communities.
“All eight will play their part within their respective, highly experienced teams in the aims of the Three Counties Agricultural Society in promoting agriculture, horticulture and arboriculture and developing understanding between rural and urban communities. The future is certainly looking bright at Three Counties.”
For more information about the Three Counties Showground and our shows, CountryTastic, RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Royal Three Counties Show and Malvern Autumn Show, please visit www.threecounties.co.uk.