RCF announces sponsorship of Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s Rural Leadership Programme
The Royal Countryside Fund (RCF), the UK-wide charity founded by HM King Charles III to support farming families and rural communities, is sponsoring the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s prestigious Rural Leadership Programme. The announcement was made an event at the Hay Festival on May 21st.
The Rural Leadership Programme is designed to nurture and inspire participants as they develop the skills, confidence and insight needed to progress within Welsh agriculture and rural communities.
Following a rigorous selection process, twelve outstanding individuals from across Wales have been selected to take part in the fully-funded initiative.
This year’s delegates will attend a range of events connected with the RWAS and travel to Cardiff and London, where they will meet influential organisations and leadership figures from across the agricultural, political and rural sectors.
Gareth Davies, Programme Manager for Wales at The Royal Countryside Fund said:
“A key focus of The Royal Countryside Fund is supporting local networks, bringing farmers together to support and learn from each other, and making changes that last. We want to help countryside communities thrive now and for generations to come, so supporting the RWAS Rural Leadership Programme is an obvious choice. Congratulations to this year’s cohort – we’re excited to see their progress through this year and beyond.”
Aled Rhys Jones, RWAS Chief Executive said:
“We are thrilled to welcome this talented group of individuals to our Rural Leadership Programme. Each participant brings unique perspectives and experiences to the cohort, and we look forward to supporting their development as future leaders in Welsh agriculture and rural affairs.”
The successful delegates will be formally introduced at the Royal Welsh Show Awards Ceremony on Monday 20th July 2026.
Made possible through a generous legacy from the late Mr N Griffiths, alongside match funding from the Glamorgan County Advisory Committee, the Rural Leadership Programme provides participants with valuable opportunities to develop leadership capability, expand their professional networks and gain first-hand exposure to the issues and opportunities facing rural Wales.
Further information about the programme and the candidates can be found on the RWAS website: www.rwas.wales