The RHASS Group has today published its annual report and accounts, recording a return to profit and a continued focus on achieving long-term financial stability.
An operating (unrestricted) net income of £551k has been achieved and marks a significant milestone for RHASS following a £1.8m deficit in 2024 and a £3.1m deficit in 2023. The major turnaround reflects the team’s sustained efforts under a plan aimed at reshaping the organisation’s finances which was put in place a year ago.
The group, comprising of RHASS (Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland), its commercial subsidiary, Highland Centre Ltd and the Royal Highland Society Development Trust (RHSDT) which supports the sector through the provision of grants and financial assistance, marked the positive commercial step-change at its AGM yesterday evening (29th April) at the Royal Highland Centre. Members heard about the Group’s successes over the past year, as well as its future priorities.
Central to the group’s performance was RHASS’ principal fundraising platform, the Royal Highland Show. The Show provided an operating surplus of £404,624, compared to a loss of £837,009 in the previous year and welcomed over 212,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibitors across four days last June. Sponsorship generated £865,234 for RHASS, marking a 24% increase on the previous year. Last year also saw headline sponsor, Royal Bank of Scotland, extending its partnership with the Show through to 2028, making it the bank’s longest ongoing partnership.
The group’s commercial arm, Highland Centre Limited, which trades as the Royal Highland Centre also played a key role in the group’s success. The centre, known as one of Scotland’s most sought-after venues, has played host to over 100 events throughout 2025 and became the home once again to Edinburgh’s hugely popular Summer Sessions, which saw global stars Sam Fender and Chappell Roan perform sell-out concerts.
Moving forward, the Centre will underpin future growth for RHASS, with the team particularly focused on unlocking new revenue streams and expanding live music and immersive events. It’s already been announced that Edinburgh’s Summer Sessions will return this year, with Biffy Clyro, Florence & The Machine, The Prodigy, Lorde and The Cure lined up to perform in August.
Members attending last night’s AGM also heard that one of the essential changes made this year was the introduction of a new governance framework following approval at last year’s AGM. Since coming into effect in July 2025, the refreshed governance structure – encompassing the RHASS Council of Trustees, RHASS RHS Board and Highland Centre Limited (HCL) Board, has streamlined decision-making processes and improved transparency and accountability. The addition of independent non-executive board members on the HCL board and independent trustees on the Council have also helped to bring additional strategic input.
James Logan, Chair of RHASS, said: “This past year has marked a turning point for RHASS with significant changes to improve the Society’s governance and financial performance. While we had planned to break even this year, the outcome has been better than we imagined and that’s all down to the hard work and dedication from the team, our directors, council members, and advisers for which we are extremely grateful.
“As with any major turnaround plan, our aim is to build on last year’s performance. There’s no doubt that there will be challenges ahead however, we have plans in place for how we grow income while remaining true to RHASS’s mission of supporting Scotland’s agricultural and rural communities.”
James Logan continued: “With less than two months to go to this year’s Royal Highland Show, plans are taking shape to deliver another great event, celebrating all that makes the Show special as well as introducing some new features including a Family Day on the Sunday. We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors and competitors from across the country, as well as families who may be planning to experience the Show for the very first time this year.”
Related
![New_World_600x300[1]](https://eventsbase.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/New_World_600x3001.png "New World Returns to Glasgow with Season 2 Music Series")