Platinum sponsors continue support of Balmoral Show

The Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank have announced the continued platinum sponsorship from SPAR, M&S, ABP, Tesco and LIDL, for the 148th show.
Colin McDonald, RUAS Chief Executive, celebrates the Balmoral Show 2016 platinum sponsors announcement with Bronagh Luke, Henderson Group/SPAR, Paul Gibson from Lidl,  Stephen Murphy from Tesco, Patrice Ash from M&S and George Mullan ABP. This year's show runs from 11th-13th May 2016. PICTURE: Steven McAuley/McAuley MultimediaColin McDonald, RUAS Chief Executive, celebrates the Balmoral Show 2016 platinum sponsors announcement with Bronagh Luke, Henderson Group/SPAR, Paul Gibson from Lidl,  Stephen Murphy from Tesco, Patrice Ash from M&S and George Mullan ABP. This year's show runs from 11th-13th May 2016. PICTURE: Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
Colin McDonald, RUAS Chief Executive, celebrates the Balmoral Show 2016 platinum sponsors announcement with Bronagh Luke, Henderson Group/SPAR, Paul Gibson from Lidl, Stephen Murphy from Tesco, Patrice Ash from M&S and George Mullan ABP. This year's show runs from 11th-13th May 2016. PICTURE: Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

Speaking at the platinum sponsor’s breakfast, Colin McDonald, RUAS Chief Executive, said: “The close relationship with our platinum sponsors continues to grow from strength to strength. Being associated with such key players in the agri-food sector helps the Balmoral Show promote agricultural excellence from the primary producers, through the processors, the new product innovators and the secure supply chain that delivers our food to the shop shelf.”

Following Colin’s welcome the five platinum sponsors spoke of their plans for Balmoral Show 2016 as well as their businesses in the agri-food sector. A brunch of locally sourced produce was served which was pertinent as Northern Ireland celebrates its Year of Food and Drink.

Sean Largey Commercial Manager, Tesco NI remarked: “The Balmoral Show is a key event in the Tesco Taste Northern Ireland campaign, at which we are able to share our support for local farmers and rural communities with visitors to the event. We’ve been supporting the Balmoral Show now for more than a decade, and are continuing our Platinum sponsorship for a fifth year. We are delighted to sponsor a wide range of activities at the show including the popular Tesco Children’s Farm, Commercial Cattle classes and the helpful Tesco Showmakers.  In addition, the Tesco Taste Northern Ireland cookery theatre will be cooking up a storm in the Food NI marquee.  And, we look forward to welcoming visitors to the Tesco main stand adjoining the Food NI pavilion.”

Colin McDonald, RUAS Chief Executive, celebrates the Balmoral Show 2016 platinum sponsors announcement with Bronagh Luke, Henderson Group/SPAR, Paul Gibson from Lidl,  Stephen Murphy from Tesco, Patrice Ash from M&S and George Mullan ABP. This year's show runs from 11th-13th May 2016. PICTURE: Steven McAuley/McAuley MultimediaColin McDonald, RUAS Chief Executive, celebrates the Balmoral Show 2016 platinum sponsors announcement with Bronagh Luke, Henderson Group/SPAR, Paul Gibson from Lidl,  Stephen Murphy from Tesco, Patrice Ash from M&S and George Mullan ABP. This year's show runs from 11th-13th May 2016. PICTURE: Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
Colin McDonald, RUAS Chief Executive, celebrates the Balmoral Show 2016 platinum sponsors announcement with Bronagh Luke, Henderson Group/SPAR, Paul Gibson from Lidl, Stephen Murphy from Tesco, Patrice Ash from M&S and George Mullan ABP. This year's show runs from 11th-13th May 2016. PICTURE: Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

Patrice Ash, M&S Lisburn Manager, commented: “Marks & Spencer is a long-standing sponsor and trade exhibitor at Balmoral Show and we’re proud to once again be supporting as a platinum sponsor in 2016. 

“We will be sponsoring a selection of the beef livestock classes and look forward to welcoming many of our local producers to the cattle lawns at Balmoral Park.  Our fourteen year relationship with the show provides us with an ideal platform to communicate our strong commitment to the agri-food sector and to build and strengthen relationships with farmers and food producers.

“Once again, we will be hosting the Farming for the Future Awards, a unique programme to help M&S supply partners and the wider farming community adapt to the challenges ahead.  Through the award scheme we aim to deliver best quality, improved technical efficiency, reduced environmental impact, high standards of animal welfare, inspiration for the farming industry and engagement with our customers.”

Liam McCarthy, ABP Supply Chain Development Manager said: “ABP Food Group is delighted to continue its Platinum sponsorship of the Balmoral Show and is looking forward to, yet again, a bigger and better event in 2016. To help this upward trajectory, and in recognition of the great success that is Balmoral Show, ABP has increased its sponsorship and will be supporting a number of sheep classes this year, alongside our regular funding of beef cattle.

Colin McDonald, RUAS Chief Executive, celebrates the Balmoral Show 2016 platinum sponsors announcement with Bronagh Luke, Henderson Group/SPAR, Paul Gibson from Lidl,  Stephen Murphy from Tesco, Patrice Ash from M&S and George Mullan ABP. This year's show runs from 11th-13th May 2016. PICTURE: Steven McAuley/McAuley MultimediaColin McDonald, RUAS Chief Executive, celebrates the Balmoral Show 2016 platinum sponsors announcement with Bronagh Luke, Henderson Group/SPAR, Paul Gibson from Lidl,  Stephen Murphy from Tesco, Patrice Ash from M&S and George Mullan ABP. This year's show runs from 11th-13th May 2016. PICTURE: Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
Colin McDonald, RUAS Chief Executive, celebrates the Balmoral Show 2016 platinum sponsors announcement with Bronagh Luke, Henderson Group/SPAR, Paul Gibson from Lidl, Stephen Murphy from Tesco, Patrice Ash from M&S and George Mullan ABP. This year's show runs from 11th-13th May 2016. PICTURE: Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

“Our ‘Farmers of the Future’ project will be to the fore at our stand as we continue to encourage young farmers of secondary school age to display their husbandry prowess and reward those who are at the top of their game. We will be inviting past participants to attend the show and hope that what they have to share will be a draw to other future farmers.

“No matter what climate the agri-food industry finds itself in, Balmoral Show has the ability to give everyone a lift and show off the best of what our industry has to offer. So, with this in mind, we look forward to what promises to be another great show and, you never know, it might even have stopped raining by then.”

Paul Gibson, Sales Operations Executive, Lidl Northern Ireland, remarked: “Lidl Northern Ireland is privileged to be involved in the Balmoral Show yet again as a platinum sponsor. This sponsorship demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Northern Ireland and supporting the agri-food industry is central to that commitment. This year visitors can look forward to meeting more local producers who supply to our stores across the province. They can also find out more about our charity partners CLIC Sargent and FareShare, and of course taste the quality of our local produce prepared especially by renowned NI chef, Ian Orr.”

Rounding up the platinum sponsors, Bronagh Luke, Head of Corporate Marketing at Henderson Group, owners of the SPAR franchise in Northern Ireland, concluded: “We are absolutely delighted to once again be supporting the Balmoral Show as a platinum sponsor for the sixth consecutive year. Balmoral Show is the heart and soul of the agri-community in Northern Ireland, and SPAR is proud to operate at the heart of Northern Ireland’s communities.

“Our presence at Balmoral Show provides us with an ideal platform to communicate our strong commitment to the local agri-food sector here in Northern Ireland. Direct contact with our key markets at the Show enables us to further strengthen our relationships with local farmers and food producers in Northern Ireland and allows us to showcase our innovative approach to retailing that continues to exceed customers’ expectations.

“We will once again sponsor the SPAR family arena and we have an exciting array of activities planned, including cookery demonstrations from chef Paula McIntyre.  We are again looking forward to showing our appreciation to our local suppliers at our annual Local Supplier Awards event.”

The event ended with Billy Robson, RUAS President welcoming the sponsors and media to the event and thanking them for their continued support during his time as President and wishing them every success for the 2016 Balmoral Show.

The Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank runs from 11th-13th May at Balmoral Park.

To keep up to date with 2016 Balmoral Show news check out our website www.balmoralshow.co.uk, Facebook: Balmoral Show and Twitter: @balmoralshow.