Auctioneers' achievements marked at annual awards ceremony

Posted 9 January 2025

The achievements of Livestock Auctioneers from across the UK have been marked at an annual Harper Adams University awards ceremony.

The ceremony, which marks the start of each New Year at the institution, is the opening event for a workforce development programme in Livestock Market Operations and Management.

The programme has been delivered since 2011 at Harper Adams and was developed by Course Manager Dr Mark Simcock in conjunction with the Livestock Auctioneers Association and the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland.

It saw more than 40 Livestock Auctioneers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland gathered to continue their studies – and started with the awards event, which celebrated the achievements of students on the programme. 

Joe Bowman from Carlisle Livestock Market, Oliver Chapman from Darlington Livestock Market, Michael Craig from Ayr Livestock Market, Paul Garnder from Penrith Livestock Market, Patrick Irvine from Ballymena Livestock Market, Joel McGarva from Carlisle Livestock Market, George Starkie from Clitheroe Livestock Market and Murray Steel from United Auctions in Stirling Livestock Market all graduated with a Certificate of Higher Education in Livestock Market Operations and Management and were presented with their awards by Harper Adams Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan.

Paul also received the Livestock Auctioneers Association Gavel for the top graduating student from England and Wales, presented by the Executive Secretary of the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association Chris Dodds.

The MJ Thomson Award for the top graduating student from Scotland was awarded to Michael, who was presented with his award by Alan Hutcheon, Group Director at Aberdeen and Northern Marts and President of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland.

The Dick Harrison Trust also made a presentation.  The Trust provide education and training by awarding grants for fees or maintenance to persons who wish to be trained in livestock auctioneering and/or rural estate management – wherever they study.

The award was made to the top first year student and this was awarded to Megan Dowson who works for Darlington Livestock Market.  This presentation was made by Robert Addison from Hexham Livestock Market.

Concluding proceedings, Dr Simcock thanked all his colleagues at the University for supporting the delivery and assessment of the programme - and looked forward to it continuing for many years to come.

He added: “May I pass on my congratulations to our graduates.

“All your farming clients are going to need sound advice from their professional advisors in the years ahead as agricultural policy develops - and our graduates today are now in a position to give that advice.”