A new president has been elected to the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS). Alan Hutcheon, who has over 40 years’ experience in the industry as an auctioneer and in livestock market management, assumes the role from Donald Young at the end of his three-year tenure. The Institute’s Council has also been restructured at this time and joined by new elected members which represent the breadth of the industry.
Mr Hutcheon, who is also Non-Executive Director of ANM Group, said:
“I’ve been in the industry for a long time and have enormous respect for the work of the Institute as a representative voice for what matters to all of us in this sector. It’s an honour to take up this position. The industry has its fair share of challenges and I’m looking forward to working with Neil, the Council and our members to secure and enhance the future of the marts and be a constant voice on their relevance to Scottish agriculture and food security. Price discovery is at the heart of this, and nowhere is this more fair, transparent and simple than in the auction system.”
The Institute’s purpose is to advocate and raise awareness of the crucial role of the livestock market system in Scotland’s rural economy. As well as supporting the professional development and recognition of its members, both individually and as businesses, to drive greater throughput and turnover, it works with politicians and government to influence regulation to further the interests of, rather than burden, those working in the sector.
Neil Wilson, Executive Director of IAAS, said:
“The insights, experience and enthusiasm for the industry that Alan brings with him, as well as an enviable network of contacts across the supply chain, will be an enormous asset to the Institute and the appointment is great news for members. I’d like to thank Donald personally as well as on behalf of the membership for his support to me as Executive Director. Over the last three years, he has worked both behind the scenes and out front through changing times to increase the effectiveness of the Institute and ensure its voice is heard in the most important conversations.”
IAAS also collates the latest market data to provide a critical real-time insight into the agricultural economy, and at its core is its social and business support for members and the wider farming community. It is working with RSABI to provide Health Huts for farmers to have access to free health physical and mental checks, piloted with a very popular response this month at Thainstone Mart. IAAS instigated and drives the Lamb Bank, an initiative to deliver as much lamb into schools through industry donations, for cooking classes and canteens on St Andrew’s Day, to build appreciation of it as a tasty, nutritious source of protein. Since the inception of the Lamb Bank three years ago, sales prices for sheep in the marts have spiked in November.
Among Mr Hutcheon’s ambitions for the future of the marts is to progress the use of EID tagging in all Scotland’s marts to improve efficiency, staff safety and make savings.
Working across the differing regions of Scotland, IAAS has invested in its education and examination structure to nurture the talent and skill of new, up-and-coming auctioneers and valuers. Under Mr Wilson’s directorship, it has also initiated a Young Auctioneers group designed to support leadership, networking and sharing of knowledge to benefit the whole industry.
The IAAS Council has been restructured and includes members of the Young Auctioneers group to represent the next generation of auctioneers and valuers, with a view to bringing different experience and perspectives to the board table. The newly appointed Council includes Alan Hutcheon of ANM as its President; Christopher Sharp of United Auctions; Grant MacPherson of Dingwall and Highland Marts; Oliver Shearman of Caledonian Marts; Grant Anderson of H&H; Brian Ross of Lawrie & Symington; and Andrew Hunter Blair of Craig Wilson.
As they step down from office, Mr Wilson thanks John Thomson (C&D Marts), Bruce Walton (Wallets Marts), John Fyall (Highland Rural) and former Presidents James Craig (Craig Wilson), William McCulloch (Caledonian Marts) and Scott Donaldson (H&H) for their longstanding service on the Council and to the Institute.