YORK accountancy firm Garbutt & Elliott has been appointed as the new auditors for the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

The Society, which runs the Great Yorkshire Show, selected the firm, which has offices in Monks Cross and Leeds, following a competitive tendering process.

Alan Sidebottom, audit partner with Garbutt & Elliott, said: "This is a major audit contract for us and we were delighted to win it against such stiff opposition.

"Under the contract we will provide auditing and business advice to the Society, including Fodder, its food shop and café, and the Society’s events venues Pavilions of Harrogate and the Yorkshire Events Centre.

“The Society is a registered charity, so our specialist charity team will be heavily involved in supporting them.

"However it is also a significant commercial operation, running major events and event venues, so it was important for the Society to appoint an auditor with corporate experience too."

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society also organises and hosts Countryside Live, which both take place in the Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate.

Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: "As a charity it is important that we not only act properly, but are seen to act properly.

"The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is a membership organisation with more than 11,000 members and they need to be confident that we are operating in the appropriate manner.

"Garbutt & Elliott is highly compatible with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. It has a strong charity portfolio and commercial clients with similar operations to our own. We felt the experience of their people would greatly benefit our organisation."