Catherine Paice, MA (Cantab), is a freelance journalist and editor who started her career writing for and about theatre but for the past 25 years has specialised in agriculture and rural businesses, working for radio, print and on-line media. She is a former business editor of Farmers Weekly and spent many years contributing to BBC Radio 4 while working for a range of business publications covering food commodities. Catherine is currently a director of Eden Publishing Ltd, with responsibility for an international publication offering daily online and fortnightly printed market news and business updates for dairy processors. She wrote ‘Rural Britain’ for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office as a showcase for the British countryside and has school governance experience.
The latest in a long family line of fruit show members, Sarah has been our chair for 11 years. She has also competed at the show and at the last count has only missed 8 in her lifetime...
Not content with five years as the society's vice-chair, our favourite AHDB veteran has just taken up the reins of the charity's trustee board.
CFO of Avalon Produce, Chris is an invaluable addition to the show team. Assisted by Liz and Sarah, our accounts are in good hands.
Annette has consistently been the one to beat in the competition, a stalwart member of the general committee for many years we are delighted that she has agreed to become one of two new vice-chairs and has taken on the remit for education.
A long-standing committee member, former Executive Director of The East Malling Trust and now CEO of the MFSS. Sally took over the reins in January 2023 and takes over all day-to-day responsibilities of running the MFSS which includes the annual National Fruit Show, education programme for the industry and schools and competitions for growers and producers throughout the year.
Truly outstanding in her field, it was a great day when Sam adopted the fruit show and developed our education programme. Now leading a small but perfectly formed team, she is also one of the first land-based STEM ambassadors.
Consultant to the fruit, hops and ornamentals sector specialising in crop protection and nutrition. Previous experience in the research sector. Currently in a Technical Management role and previous experience in giving technical support to colleagues in the horticulture sector. Member of the DEFRA Pesticide Residues in Food Expert Committee.
Mary-Anne has joined our team to run the 2023 competitions.
Rachel has extensive experience in the Local Food & Drink Sector & Event Management. She is our support in and out of the Office delivering all aspects of administration and event organisation complimenting our already brilliant team!