After many years of dedicated service, Michael Lambert, Honorary Secretary of the Royal Agricultural Societies Commonwealth (RASC), will be retiring from his role this July.
Michael’s departure marks the end of an extraordinary 20-year tenure with the RASC, capping many years of dedicated involvement by his family. His father played a significant role in the organisation, serving as Chairman during the 1980s and 1990s, at a time when Barclays – where he also held the position of Chair – was a major sponsor of the RASC. It was through Michael’s father that Philip Bolam was first introduced to the RASC, and it was Philip who later encouraged Michael to get involved himself. This legacy of service and commitment has had a lasting impact on the organisation.
Michael has been a steadfast and valued figure within the RASC community, offering not only administrative leadership but also unwavering support, wisdom, and a deep commitment to the values of the Commonwealth’s agricultural societies. His tenure has spanned a time of great change and growth for the organisation, and his calm guidance, professionalism, and encyclopaedic knowledge of the RASC’s history and workings have been a true asset to the Board and Secretariat.
Whether managing the complexities of international conferences, supporting member societies, or maintaining the RASC’s records with care and precision, Michael has served with exceptional grace and generosity. His contributions have helped shape the organisation’s legacy and position it strongly for the future.
Reflections from Sir Nicholas Bacon Bt. KCVO OBE DL
“As a newcomer to The RASC having first been involved at Edmonton for the Conference in 2018 and then asked to be Chairman after the sad death of Lord Vestey, my knowledge of the RASC is decidedly thin. However, that encyclopaedic experience of Michael guided me through the hazards and delights of the RASC. He was always available for me to ask the most simple and no doubt superficial of questions and then would call upon his experience to make light of the answers, usually quoting a conference which had happened many years before. That knowledge always seemed to be at the forefront of his memory, seemingly never forgetting anything.
Thank you, Michael, for helping me so much in the early days of my Chairmanship, and I wish you a very happy retirement.”
Reflections from Allan Murray
Allan Murray, who has worked closely alongside Michael for many years, reflects fondly on their early days and many shared memories.
“Michael attended his first RASC Conference in 2006, and I still remember how it began – with him taking a morning run, tripping over a chain and proving to be quite the accident! It didn’t take long for us to connect. When Ray Jones couldn’t attend a meeting about the RASC office move from London to Edinburgh in 2007, I stepped in. That meeting turned out to be where I first met Michael, and also where he met Stephen Brown and Adele Thomson.”
From that moment on, Michael became deeply embedded in the operations of the RASC. He was appointed Treasurer in 2006, and shortly after, helped deliver the 2008 Conference in New Zealand, followed by the 2010 Conference in Edinburgh – remembered fondly for its spectacular Gala Dinner held at the Signet Library.
In 2011, Michael succeeded Billy Yarr as Honorary Secretary. He forged a strong and effective working relationship with Andrew Gilmour, often staying with Andrew and his wife Mary every other month in Fife, managing RASC affairs from a spare chair in the Ingliston offices.
Michael helped organise the 2012 Conference in Zambia and continued to play a vital role in major international events thereafter – including Brisbane in 2014, Singapore in 2016, and Canada in 2018. Allan fondly recalls the 2018 event, where Michael helped Lord Vestey navigate a revolving dining room at the top of a tower in Edmonton!
A particularly memorable chapter was in 2015, when Michael joined Allan, Chris & Thelma Riddle, Aled and Lisa Jones, Michael Kenny (from New South Wales, Australia), and Jim Tucker, along with Jim’s wife Nancy and their daughter Xenobia, for a tour of five major US fairs across three weeks. Xenobia even shared the driving with her father over hundreds of miles. The group visited:
- Iowa State Fair, hosted by Gary Slater, CEO
- Indiana State Fair, where CEO Cindy Hoye (who also attended the Singapore Conference) welcomed them
- Kentucky State Fair, led by CEO Connie Fetters
- Minnesota State Fair, with CEO Jerry Hammer, a particularly good friend of the RASC and a regular attendee at RASC Conferences.
“Jim’s rallying call – ‘Get in the van!’ – still echoes in my mind,” Allan says with a smile.
As the organisation evolved, so too did Michael’s role. In 2017, he helped lead a review of the RASC’s administration and oversaw the move of the Secretariat to Norfolk, building strong ties with Mark Nicholas and Greg Smith.
Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and the cancellation of the 2020 Conference, Michael guided the organisation through a vital period of restructure, even bringing in IAFE President Marla Calico as an independent advisor.
Most recently, he supported the successful 2024 Edinburgh Conference and has been instrumental in shaping the 2025 Next Generation Mission to Botswana – a project strengthened by his longstanding friendships with Daphne and Christie Lindsay.
Reflections from Simon Orpwood
“I first met Michael back in 2010 when I joined the RASC Board of Trustees. At the time, I already knew of him through my brother, who had worked with Michael during his time as County Chairman of the NFU, while Michael was serving as Treasurer. Even then, it was clear he brought with him a sharp mind and deep understanding of rural affairs – qualities that would come to define his contributions to the RASC.
In 2012, I took on the role of Press Officer and began working much more closely with Michael. I’ll always be grateful for how much he supported me during that transition. He was generous with his time, always willing to offer advice or talk things through, and made sure I never felt out of my depth. His encouragement in those early days made a real difference.
Over the years, we’ve shared many journeys – often travelling together to meetings in Edinburgh, and more recently when Michael would come and stay with Caroline & I at Bowmont Hill in Northumberland, where the Secretariat is now based. I’ve always enjoyed those visits – not only for the chance to work side by side but for the good humour and great company that always came with them.
I also fondly remember staying with Michael myself and being treated to one of his home-cooked meals – simple but thoughtful moments that meant a great deal. Likewise, we shared memorable times staying with Andrew and Mary in Edinburgh, which always made the work feel more like being among friends.
Michael’s understanding of the Commonwealth, particularly in relation to Africa, has been a huge asset to the RASC. He brings a calm, thoughtful perspective to everything he does and has consistently guided us with clarity and purpose. His ideas have often helped shape the direction of our work, and his leadership will be very much missed.
It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside him, and I know many of us feel the same. Michael leaves with our sincere thanks and warmest wishes for the future.”
Looking Ahead
Michael’s retirement marks the end of an era for the Lambert family’s involvement in the RASC. He will be deeply missed for his calm authority, invaluable Commonwealth connections and kind mentorship. His legacy is one of service, consistency and quiet but impactful leadership.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Michael for everything he has done for the RASC and its members. We look forward to celebrating his remarkable contribution later this year – and we know he will always remain a treasured part of the RASC family.
As we look ahead, we are pleased to share that Chris Riddle, former Secretary of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, will be taking on the role of Honorary Secretary of the RASC. We warmly welcome Chris into the role and wish him all the very best as he begins this new chapter with the RASC.
Thank you, Michael.
