Livestock Auctioneers' achievements marked at dedicated ceremony

Posted 12 January

The achievements of the latest graduates from a renowned livestock auctioneer development programme have been marked at a ceremony at Harper Adams University.

The workforce development programme brought more than 40 Livestock Auctioneers from England, Wales, and Scotland to continue their studies in Livestock Market Operations and Management. 

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

As ever, the week started with an event to celebrate the graduation of the latest students from the programme. 

Opening the event, Harper Adams Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan said: “It’s my fifth time presenting here, and every time I am taken by just how important a role all of you play in making sure we have an effective food production system at the heart of what happens in rural life.

“I want to say thank you to both the Association and the Institute for the trust you put into the University in running this programme. The reason why it runs so well is because we have such a strong team of people who deliver on the programme.”

Eight students - Fraser Chapman, Gemma Duguid and Andrew Gunn from Aberdeen and Northern Marts, Zanna Dennis from the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association and Bentham Livestock Market, Lloyd Humphries and Tom Pritchard from McCartneys, and Jack Walton from Hexham and Northern Marts all graduated with a Certificate of Higher Education in Livestock Market Operations and Management.

Each student present was presented with their award by Professor Sloan.

Zanna also received the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association Gavel for being 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 Gemma Duguid who was presented with her award by Neil Wilson, Executive Director of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland.

The Dick Harrison Trust – which provides education and training by awarding grants for fees or maintenance to help train people in livestock auctioneering and/or rural estate management – also sponsor a prize at the ceremony. 

At Harper Adams, the award is made to the top first year student – although in a rare occurrence, two students drew in their marks this year so the prize was awarded jointly.

The awards went to Kerry Foster and Anders Brown, both of whom work for H & H at Carlisle Livestock Market.  This presentation was made by Robert Addison from Hexham Livestock Market.

Course Manager Dr Mark Simcock thanked all his colleagues at the University for supporting the delivery and assessment of the programme and congratulated the graduating students.

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