CEO Update: July 2026
06 Jul 2026 / Melbourne Royal News
Further to recently announcing that I will be stepping down as Chief Executive, I am incredibly grateful for all the lovely messages acknowledging my tenure at Melbourne Royal. The messages I have received reflect the wonderful people that I have had the great joy and privilege meeting and working with during my career.
As previously advised, I officially step down as Chief Executive on 31 August 2026. Until then I remain fully committed to my responsibilities as Chief Executive and working in unison with the Board to ensure a smooth and orderly leadership transition.
I am pleased to update you on the recruitment approach the Board is undertaking to appoint a new CEO. The Board has engaged Davidson to manage the executive search and recruitment for a new CEO. The Board looks forward to receiving considerable interest in the role and appointing a new CEO in the near future.
It is an exciting opportunity for a new CEO to lead Melbourne Royal and shape the next chapter of the organisation’s remarkable history. The next CEO can look forward to joining a highly respected Victorian organisation that has great people, culture, reputation, brand and history along with world class food and beverage awards and iconic events and venues.
A matter of strategic priority for the incoming CEO and the Board is Melbourne Royal's ongoing tenure at Melbourne Showgrounds. A key focus for the incoming CEO will be to formalise arrangements with the State Government that will enable the Melbourne Royal Show to grow and prosper beyond 2031 at Melbourne Showgrounds, and to ensure that Melbourne Royal is financially sustainable in perpetuity.
The Board has great confidence that our highly experienced team at Melbourne Royal will continue to build on the organisation’s strong foundations and deliver highly successful events, awards, and venues.
Preparations for the 2026 Melbourne Royal Show are progressing well, and we are most grateful for the ongoing support and involvement of all our members, exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors, suppliers and service providers. We look forward to the 2026 Melbourne Royal Show bringing much joy and happiness to the Victorian community from 24 September to 4 October.
In the lead up the 2026 Melbourne Royal Show, Matt Coleman OAM, President will share a further update with you on the appointment of a new CEO at the appropriate time.
In stepping down as Melbourne Royal Chief Executive, I need to relinquish my role as a Board Director of Agricultural Shows Australia (ASA). I will officially resign from the ASA Board at the August ASA members meeting being held at the EKKA on Tuesday 11 August.
It has been a privilege to serve on the ASA Board to advocate the value of agricultural shows around Australia on behalf of members. I wish all ASA members well for their respective agricultural Shows in the future. I trust that all agricultural Shows continue to evolve and strengthen their vital role in celebrating Australian agriculture, connecting people and communities and inspiring future generations.
I look forward to sharing my final update with you in August, in the meantime you can enjoy reading updates on Melbourne Royal events, awards and venues from Hannah von Bibra, Executive General Manager, Melbourne Royal Show and Sam Buckley Executive General Manager, Melbourne Showgrounds.
In this edition of the newsletter, you can read about the record number of entries we have received in our Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards, the forthcoming events being held at Melbourne Showgrounds and an update on the 2026 Melbourne Royal Show.
Enjoy the read!
Brad Jenkins
Chief Executive