The Royal Agricultural Society’s Executive Management Team is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the RAS and for implementing the directions and policies of Council. The Management Team engages in a wide range of tasks including working with government and with other industry organisations, communicating with RAS Members, maintaining the RAS Archive, event management for clients, managing RAS finances, liaising with media organisations, arranging agricultural competitions and all the planning and logistics that go into the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Australia’s largest annual event.
Chief Executive
Mr Brock Gilmour is the Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) where he oversees all activities conducted by the RAS. His strong background in venue and financial management, business...
Mr Brock Gilmour is the Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) where he oversees all activities conducted by the RAS. His strong background in venue and financial management, business analysis and strategic planning, along with over 20 years’ experience at the RAS.
Brock holds a Bachelor of Science and Mathematics (University of New South Wales), a Bachelor of Economics and Accounting, is a Certified Practising Accountant and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Brock is a dynamic and results-oriented leader and has a thorough understanding of all RAS business operations.
RAS President & Chief Executive Assistant
Mrs Alexis Gachon has been serving the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW for over 14 years in executive administration roles, and for the past 10 years as Executive Assistant to the President and Chief Executive...
Mrs Alexis Gachon has been serving the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW for over 14 years in executive administration roles, and for the past 10 years as Executive Assistant to the President and Chief Executive. This position extends to supporting the RAS Council, the governing body of the organisation, which consists of 54 Councillors and 48 Honorary Councillors. Alexis’ work is integral to the oversight of the Constitution and Corporate Governance Statement for the Society.
Core to her role, Alexis manages all official visits by members of the Royal Family, Heads of State, Government Officials, and is accustomed to managing highly sensitive, confidential information. These endeavours require high performance and strict adherence to planning and protocols at very public and visible levels. Alexis operates in these capacities with great aplomb, demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and meticulous attention to detail.
General Manager, Sydney Showground
Mr Darryl Jeffrey is the General Manager of Sydney Showground, the events and venue business of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), as well as the President of the Sydney Olympic Park Business...
Mr Darryl Jeffrey is the General Manager of Sydney Showground, the events and venue business of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), as well as the President of the Sydney Olympic Park Business Association. As General Manager, Darryl is responsible for the overall leadership and direction of all departments of this world-class venue, delivering over 100 national and international events each year, including music festivals, sporting events, exhibitions, and trade shows.
Darryl holds qualifications in Business (Management), Procurement & Contracting, and Transport & Distribution, and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Prior to his current role, Darryl gained extensive leadership and operational experience from a career spanning more than 19 years in the military. Since 2008, he has channelled those skills into a successful career within the events, leisure, and sports venue industry.
General Manager, Human Resources
A seasoned HR leader with over 20 years of experience across diverse industries, including retail, media, entertainment, transport, construction, utilities, and recycling, Eylem Shipley brings a wealth of expertise in...
A seasoned HR leader with over 20 years of experience across diverse industries, including retail, media, entertainment, transport, construction, utilities, and recycling, Eylem Shipley brings a wealth of expertise in driving business improvement and transformative change. She holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney, with majors in HR/IR and Psychology, providing a strong foundation for her strategic approach to people leadership.
As a pragmatic HR leader, Eylem works closely with business leaders and teams to deliver results that are deeply aligned with organisational and cultural goals. Her contributions extend beyond her core role, serving as a valued member of various advisory boards and committees, where her strategic insights consistently drive organisational excellence and foster innovation.
General Manager, Finance & Administration
Mr Zain Hoosen has joined the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW as our new General Manager – Finance and Administration. Zain is a highly accomplished and dynamic executive leader, bringing with him over...
Mr Zain Hoosen has joined the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW as our new General Manager – Finance and Administration. Zain is a highly accomplished and dynamic executive leader, bringing with him over 15 years of extensive experience in financial leadership and information technology.
His impressive track record spans merger and acquisition transactions, business integrations, as well as large-scale transformation and growth initiatives.
Throughout his career, Zain has successfully led diverse functional areas including Finance, IT, Human Resources, Procurement, Payroll and Legal. Zain brings with him a wide range of strategic insight and collaborative approach that will be instrumental in advancing RAS's operational excellence and innovation initiatives.
General Manager, Agriculture & Sydney Royal Easter Show
With over 20 years at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) in various capacities, Mr Murray Wilton has served as General Manager of Agriculture and the Sydney Royal Easter Show since 2013. With...
With over 20 years at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) in various capacities, Mr Murray Wilton has served as General Manager of Agriculture and the Sydney Royal Easter Show since 2013. With expertise in multi-level stakeholder engagement and the proven ability to manage complex budgets across all business units resulting in year-on-year growth, Murray specialises in delivering business objectives that drive the strategic direction of the RAS.
Additionally, Murray has over 23 years of experience in broadcast media, for stations including Radio 2GB, 2UE, 2CC and 2GN. This extensive communication experience, combined with his senior management capabilities galvanises his comprehensive skill in business, specifically his ability to generate both new ideas and new business opportunities, forecasting all possibilities and outcomes. Murray is the recipient of the Food Media Award for promoting the industry, the Sir William McKell Award for reporting on the environment, and the Department of Fair Trading Minister’s Award, for contribution to raising awareness on air.