The managing director of the Yorkshire Event Centre Ltd on the Great Yorkshire Showground is to move on to a new chapter after nearly 30 years.

Heather Parry 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.

She 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 £7m. 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.”

Allister Nixon, chief executive officer, 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.”

Heather came to the showground fresh from London after working at Earls Court Exhibition Centre marketing large events, including The Royal Smithfield Show and The Royal Tournament and started as marketing manager of the Great Yorkshire Show. 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.

Heather was behind the idea of creating Fodder, a farm shop and café to support farmers in the aftermath of foot-and-mouth disease. Fodder is the only farm shop in the UK where 100 per cent of profits go back to farmers through charity (Yorkshire Agricultural Society).