Auctioneers Step Up as Graduates
P R E S S R E L E A S E
Auctioneers Step Up as Graduates
Mark Richardson, Livestock Auctioneer with Harrison & Hetherington has finished top of his class following a four year block release course in Livestock Market Operations and Management with Harper Adams University College. Also completing the course was colleague Bill Nelson who currently works within Harrison & Hetherington’s sister company H&H Motor Auctions. They were both presented with their certificates of achievement at the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) AGM by Mark Simcock, Principal Lecturer of Harper Adams University College.
The course is aimed at aspiring auctioneers providing a new route to membership of the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) and the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers of Scotland (IAAS). Something both men had been aiming for, for some time. Although Mark is usually auctioneering three quarter tonne animals, and Bill three quarter tonne vehicles, the fundamental skills involved in the auctioneering trade remain the same.
Involving two block weeks of course work each year, some course work to be completed at home and exams it was no mean feat for the two graduates who are employed full time within their respective companies.
Mark has shown his huge potential as a livestock auctioneer since he began working for Harrison & Hetherington just over five years ago. Entering the industry by chance, he entered an auctioneering competition and won. He was then approached by Harrison & Hetherington and asked if he was interested in becoming an auctioneers apprentice.
In this time he has sold a number of very high value livestock entries including a Swaledale Ram for £48,000. He was also a member of the team that auctioned over 11,000 mule gimmer lambs at Kirkby Stephen Mart, their biggest day yet. The Pedigree livestock that Mark specialises in are two breeds close to his heart, Swaledale Sheep which are bred at his family farm along with British Blue Cattle.
On finishing as the top of his class, Mark explained the hard work that got him there;
“Coming from a farming background I was already very familiar with the industry I was working within. From there it was about learning the ropes of auctioneering, and where better for me to do this than working for one of the country’s leading livestock auctioneers, Harrison & Hetherington. The course was mostly based online so I had to be very self motivated but it also meant I could match the theoretical knowledge with the more practical day to day challenges of auctioneering”.
David Pritchard, Operation’s Director of Harrison & Hetherington and president of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers of Scotland commented on the achievements of both Bill Nelson and Mark Richardson;
“I would like to extend my congratulations to both of these new graduates. The qualification will stand them well and help further their careers greatly, whether they are auctioning cattle or cars. To have Mark finish top of his class this year was a huge achievement and confirmed my thoughts that this is another young auctioneer with a great future ahead of him”.
Both Harrison & Hetherington and H&H Motor Auctions are companies belonging to wide portfolio from H&H Group PLC. For more information about these or any of H&H Group PLCs other companies contact 01228 406 330.
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All Media Enquiries to Barbara Huddart – Glendale PR – [email protected] 01668 283 044 – 07980 850 394
For further information contact:
David Pritchard, Operations Director
Harrison & Hetherington, Borderway, Rosehill, Carlisle, CA1 2RS
T: 01228 406200
