Nottinghamshire born John Peace has been appointed the 2009 President of the Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society (N&NAS). He takes over from Charles Lawrence following the society’s AGM this week.
A son of a mining family, John Peace has a strong business background in senior IT management, rising to the post of Group Chief Executive of GUS plc in 2000. Currently he is chairman of Experian, an appointment he accepted after the de-merger of GUS’ two main businesses.
Mr Peace commented: "I am delighted to be taking on the role of President. My predecessor has been actively involved with the society throughout his tenure and I look forward to furthering his excellent work."
Married to a former teacher, John Peace has a special interest in education and will be particularly keen to help promote the educational grant scheme, run by N&NAS, which supports students aiming to set up a rural-based business within the county.
Supporting Mr Peace as Vice President will be Graham Cartledge CBE. Mr Cartledge is chairman of Benoy, a company he joined in 1973 when it had just one office, based in Newark. Since his chairmanship in 1992, Benoy has enjoyed impressive world-wide expansion with offices in London, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and, in 2008, Shanghai and Singapore. The company now works in 36 countries with around 550 architects and designers and has been responsible for a number of major retail projects including Bluewater in Kent, the Bullring in Birmingham and Elements in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Graham Cartledge was awarded the CBE in June this year for his contribution to architecture and charity. He will become N&NAS President in 2010.
The Newark and Nottinghamshire County Show will be held on 9 and 10 May 2009.
