Royal Show hires new boss
A South Australian banking executive and Adelaide Oval and SACA board member has been appointed chief executive of the organisation that runs the Royal Adelaide Show.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank executive William Rayner will take over as the new CEO of the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA (RA&HS) in October.
New Showgrounds CEO William Rayner. Photo: LinkedIn
Rayner has recently finished as chief operating officer and divisional chief financial officer of Rural Bank, a regional agribusiness division of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.
His appointment as RA&HS CEO marks the end of more than 15 years in the banking sector.
A former editor of The Stock Journal and A-grade cricketer, Rayner also sits on the board of the Stadium Management Authority and is vice president of the South Australian Cricket Association.
RA&HS president Andrew Hardy said Rayner is well credentialed to “continue the rebuild” of the Adelaide Showgrounds and Royal Adelaide Show, following the event’s cancellation for the last two years.
“Coming from a financial background working with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, having experience in the media (specifically as editor of the Stock Journal), and board positions with the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority and South Australian Cricket Association, puts Will in a great position to lead the RA&HS well into the future,” Hardy said in a statement.
Rayner said he was “thrilled to be given this opportunity to join such an iconic South Australian institution”.
“I look forward to building on the fantastic heritage of the Society and Royal Adelaide Show and to pursue opportunities for its continued growth and prosperity,” he said.
Rayner’s career switch comes after long-time RA&HS CEO John Rothwell indicated his intention to retire earlier in the year.
Rothwell had been with the society for 27 years, including 20 as CEO. He had initially intended to retire in 2020 but was asked by the society’s board to stay on as it dealt with the pandemic.
Among Rothwell’s achievements during his 20 years in charge was the establishment of the weekly Showgrounds Farmers’ Market in 2006 and the development of the Kingsway event area and Goyder Pavilion.
This year’s Royal Adelaide Show, which will be Rothwell’s last, opens on September 3.
