ON the eve of the 2012 event, the man at the helm of Malvern’s Three Counties Show, which takes place next weekend, has announced he is to step down.

Nick Vincent, who has been chief executive of the Three Counties Agricultural Society for eight years, will retire in November.

Michael Warner, chairman of the society’s board of trustees, said: “Nick has certainly made his mark while he has been with us and leaves the society having laid down some solid business foundations, upon which we can build. On behalf of the board and the society’s council, I would like to thank him for his hard work and commitment and wish him the best for the future.”

His successor is to be Ken Nottage, managing director of Gloucester Rugby.

Mr Vincent, aged 63, who lives in Cheltenham, arrived at the Three Counties in 2004. Before this, he was managing director of SAPA Building Systems for four years following eight years as the group’s finance director.

Mr Warner said: “Under his leadership there has been a passion for success, leading to revenue growth of 60 per cent and more robust profitability.

“His dedication to enhance the customer experience has resulted in significant improvements to the showground’s infrastructure, including roads, entrances, conveniences and general buildings, and culminating in the development of the new Three Counties Centre, which opened for business in November 2011.”

Mr Vincent said: “The last eight years have been challenging, yet rewarding, from both a professional and personal perspective.

“I am delighted to have met and worked with a broad spectrum of people from every sector of society. It has been a pleasure.”

Mr Nottage is the longest serving managing director in English professional rugby.

He joined Gloucester 13 years ago after being recruited by the club’s late chairman Tom Walkinshaw from Newcastle United’s Sporting Club, where he was chief executive.

He said: “I am now looking forward to doing something very different and have the opportunity to work for another great organisation, the Three Counties Agricultural Society, which has a huge regional and national profile and a history going back more than 200 years.”