New Chief Executive for Royal Welsh Agricultural Society
A senior officer in Dyfed-Powys Police, Chief Superintendent Steve Hughson, has been appointed chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society
Chief Superintendent Steve Hughson
He has been in charge of front-line policing for the whole of Dyfed and Powys as head of the four police divisions in the force area.
A farmer’s son from Newbridge-on-Wye he has become a well known figure throughout Mid Wales since transferring to Dyfed-Powys Police from the London Metropolitan Police in 1992. He took the lead in the creation of a partnership with the National Farmers Union and the Farmers Union of Wales to tackle the issue of rural crime.
“During his long career in the police service he has focused on supporting rural farming and his appointment brings sound management experience and vision to the helm of the society,” said Mr John Davies, chairman of the Royal Welsh Board of Directors.
Steve Hughson comes from a strong farming background of many generations and takes an active role in running the family hill farm situated on the edge of the Cambrian Mountains and largely dedicated to sheep production. He is a past member of the Young Farmers Club movement and stock judging competitor at the Royal Welsh Show. He has supported Nantmel Agricultural Show as vice chairman and outdoor secretary. He has also supported the Royal Welsh Show for many years and has worked to improve its approach to traffic and wider event management and this has made a substantial contribution to the success of recent shows.
Married to Andrea, he has two daughters, Katie and Stephanie, both enthusiastic equestrians. He is passionate about outdoor activities and is a founder member of the annual WAAT4 endurance event in the Brecon Beacons which has raised more than £100,000 for local charities including Brecon Mountain Rescue and Wales Air Ambulance.
Although not yet fluent in Welsh, he is improving his knowledge of the language and is enrolling in an intensive learners course at Bangor University in readiness for his new role.
“I am patently aware of the huge contribution the Welsh language has made to the success of the society and the show,” he said. “It is for that reason that I shall be committing myself to developing further my Welsh speaking skills.”
He will retire from the police shortly and take up the post in March next year alongside the outgoing chief executive, David Walters, who retires in May.