It is with great pride that Holly Taylor and Bill Peters, the Joint Chairs of the Edenbridge & Oxted Agricultural Show, today announce that Helen Mahy CBE has been elected as the show’s Honorary President.

Helen’s distinguished career to date saw her qualify as a barrister, becoming General Counsel and Company Secretary for Babcock International. Helen then went on to spend over 10 years in the General Counsel and Group Company Secretary role at National Grid plc. Passionate about inclusion, equality and diversity, Helen has also been an Equality and Human Rights Commissioner and is a patron of the Social Mobility Business Partnership. Awarded a CBE in 2015 for services to business and voluntary work, her most recent roles include a focus on the energy sector; she recently retired as Chairwoman of the Renewables Infrastructure Group,  she was the senior independent director at SSE plc and she remains on the board of the law firm Gowling WLG LLP.

A local landowner and long term local resident, Helen cares deeply about the countryside and the importance of British farming in today’s society. Having attended the E&O Show for many years she is familiar with its many facets and is already acquainted with a number of its people.

In welcoming Helen to the show’s team, Bill Peters said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Helen has agreed to this new, local role. I know she will bring her immense energy, skills, experience and ideas to our team as we continue the growth of our show and work on its governance and development. Our Show President is much more than a nominal figurehead and I know Helen will give 100% to help deliver a long-lasting and beneficial impact.”

A formal vote was held at the show’s Annual General Meeting held on 13th May 2025. The Show’s Honorary President is reconfirmed by vote each year with usual term of office being two years. The President attends various committee meetings, participates with advice and counsel to the show’s trustees and directors, helps steer strategic developments and represents the charity externally where appropriate. Through the event days the President welcomes the show’s sponsors, exhibitors, competitors and visitors.

About the Show

An August Bank Holiday tradition, the Edenbridge & Oxted Agricultural Show is one of the oldest and most loved events of its kind. Near Lingfield in Surrey, the show is a county-style event packed with over 750 competition classes for cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, working terriers, flowers and vegetables.

An estimated 7,000 hours of volunteer time are invested in the delivery of this event each year with the show operating as an incorporated charity. Having grown to welcome some 45,000 people who travel from all across the region, the show is a chance for visitors to get up close with farming and countryside entertainment, to learn about their food and the people who produce it as part of a great value day out.

24th & 25th August 2025 will be the 188th E&O Show, featuring the official JCB Dancing Diggers to thrill the crowds in the Main Ring. They’ll be joined by the Dorset Axemen, the Sheep Show, vintage tractors and machinery, birds of prey, Shire horses, gundogs and terriers, archery, forestry, coppice crafts, pets corner and even giant tortoises! The event is also a super showcase for regionally-produced food and drink and welcomes around 300 trade stands too.

Still committed to its agricultural roots, the Edenbridge & Oxted remains an absolute ‘must’ as the perfect end to the long summer holiday for families, farmers and friends.