Matthew Cullen
ChairmanGrowing up just outside Canterbury on his family's farm, Matthew has been immersed in agriculture from a young age. He joined his local Young Farmers’ Club at age 11, following in his parents' footsteps and over the years, has transformed the family farm into a specialized operation, focusing on breeding and showing pedigree English Longhorn cattle. In addition to managing his herd, Matthew manages a group of rare breed White Park cattle and his commitment to preserving native breeds has been recognised within the farming community. Matthew’s involvement with KCAS began in 2017 when he joined the Livestock Committee. His passion and leadership led him to serve as Livestock Chairman for two consecutive years and was co-opted onto the Board of Directors in 2023, full Director in 2024 and now Chairman. Beyond his work with KCAS, Matthew supports various industry events and groups and is a passionate advocate for British farming. His dedication to the agricultural sector is evident in his continued engagement with and support of the farming community.
Jan Loraine
Vice ChairJan grew up in Gillingham and was educated at Rainham Mark Grammar School. After 39 years working for Barclays, Jan took early retirement in 2019. The majority of her career was spent working as a Relationship Manager within the Bank’s Agricultural Department across the South East. Jan has attended the Kent County Show and other Society events for many years both in a professional and personal capacity. Her hobbies include walking, travel and theatre.
Hayley Kingsnorth
Honorary Financial DirectorHayley is a Partner at Azets, a UK Top 10 accountancy firm. Hayley joined Azets in May 2019 and has over 20 years of experience working with owner managed businesses. Her portfolio includes a number of growing SME’s across many sectors, including rural and property, supporting entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses looking to grow. Hayley is particularly passionate about supporting rural businesses, offering tailored advice to help them navigate unique challenges such as diversification, succession planning, and adapting to regulatory changes
Nick Bolas
DirectorNick has made horse health his career. He owns two horses, and his interests include natural horsemanship. Following a biochemistry degree and D.Phil he left academia to join a small business developing bespoke MRI systems for human and research imaging. In 2000, with two business partners, he founded Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging Ltd to develop the world’s only MRI scanner for the standing sedated horse. Nick guided the company through its formative years with both technical and executive management, and his work continues today improving equine diagnostic imaging. Nick has long been a steward for the Kent County Show and other horse shows and has been Chair of the equine committee since 2018.
Sarah Gaines
DirectorSarah is a Partner at Brachers LLP specialising in commercial and agricultural land. Sarah has been a regular supporter of the Kent County Show, Ploughing Matches and other agricultural events in the county. She grew up in East Kent and has been living and working in Maidstone for more than 20 years. Now settled in Headcorn with her husband and two very sporty children she can regularly be found on the side lines of local club and county cricket, hockey, and rugby. She is passionate about supporting rural business to make the most of their heritage, opportunities for innovation and succession planning.
Neil Lakeland
DirectorNeil is a marketing and communications professional, with significant experience in the charity and not-for-profit sectors. For a number of years, he successfully led the marketing team at Hadlow College, gaining both contacts in, and knowledge of, the land-based sector. Married with two school-age children, in addition to his role as a Director of KCAS, Neil is employed by a research charity in London and volunteers locally with a road safety charity to coach people through their advanced driving test. Neil has long been a supporter of KCAS and the Kent County Show, and one year had to leave the show very promptly to attend the birth of one of his children!
Jon Booth
DirectorJon grew up on a small holding in north Kent and after a stint of working in London, he joined Lambert and Foster in 2014, a long established and well-known firm of Land Agents. Now a Director of both Lambert and Foster and Bloomfields, a firm of Chartered Town Planners, Jon advises clients on a range rural professional matters, including valuation, property management and more recently, environmental stewardship schemes. Jon is passionate about helping farmers navigate the challenges the industry presently faces and believes KCAS has an important role to play in supporting the farming community and championing its successes. Outside of work, Jon is kept busy with two young daughters but can be found on the hockey or cricket field when time allows!
Alex Cornwallis
DirectorAlex has a rich Kentish family history with his Great Grandfather being one of the early President and Chairman of the Kent County Agricultural Society in the early 1900’s. Alex is now a Director of the well-known regional Land Agency Firm BTF Partnership that have offices in Challock, Canterbury and Heathfield and helps front the Agency side of the business. Alex has gained a wealth of knowledge, experience and contacts over the past 13 years having been involved locally within the farming fraternity, clubs and societies. He is a keen sportsman and is still heavily involved in local clubs such as Cranbrook Rugby Club and the Band of Brothers Cricket Club. He can also often be found on the golf course.
Kristina Boulden
DirectorKristina was born in Denmark and moved to Kent aged 11 where she studied at Highworth Grammar School for Girls in Ashford until completion of her A Levels. Following her education, she decided to enter into the business world where she gained over 14 years’ experience in commercial sales predominantly within the FMCG Market. Kristina has been a National Account Manager for companies such as COTY UK, Burtons Biscuits and Premier Foods, dealing in both the Independent retail sector as well as the Major Multiples and managing portfolios up to £70m. In 2005, she married her husband Paul Boulden whose family have been farming on the Romney Marsh for over 140 years. In 2008, Kristina and her husband set up an exciting diversification project to have their sheep fleeces transformed into a wide range of retail products, and in July 2011 she gave up her full-time role as a National Account Manager to focus on their business, Romney Marsh Wools. In 2018, the farm further diversified with the addition of two bespoke Shepherd's Huts to tap into the booming Agri-Tourism industry. Following the success of the first two huts a third Family Shepherd's Hut was also built by the same local craftsman and sited in 2022. Today, Kristina is a Company Director of Romney Marsh Wools, along with her husband Paul, as well as managing Romney Marsh Shepherd's Huts. Kristina and Paul have two children; Oliver, who is 15, and Sophia, who is 14 years old, whom they hope may follow in their footsteps in the future.
Paul Mara
Co-opted DirectorPaul retired in 2023, following a long career, primarily within the maritime sector, where his final appointment was to lead an international training programme for power-driven vessels. Outside his professional responsibilities, he has maintained a longstanding passion for the countryside and rural pursuits. He has previously contributed to the delivery of environmental outcomes on land managed under the Higher Level Stewardship scheme. He has also bred pure white peacocks and, as a Freeman of the City of London, has exercised the traditional right to drive a flock of sheep across London Bridge. Paul has been associated with the Kent Show for many years. He first attended as a child, later exhibiting as a trader, and more recently volunteering as a steward. He is currently Chair of the Show Trade Committee. For leisure, Paul and his wife enjoy exploring Europe.
