Tag Archives: Oban Mart

Donald Morrison-United AuctionsIMG_0774 1mb

United Auctions’ Donald Morrison to “hang up the gavel” after 45 years

One of Scotland’s longest-serving auctioneers is to step out of the rostrum in the Autumn.

Donald Morrison of United Auctions will relinquish the selling aspect of his role serving the West Coast of Scotland, almost 45 years to the day since he started in the sale ring aged just 17 years old.

His last time in the rostrum for Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers will take place on Friday 28 September 2018 on Islay.

However, crofters and farmers on the Islands, Dalmally and at Oban Mart will be pleased to know that Donald will be continuing with all his other roles and will still be their main operational contact for the West Coast sales.

The existing team of auctioneers, comprising Raymond Kennedy, Peter Wood, Ross Fotheringham, Derek Anderson and Richard Close, will conduct all the sales from September.

Donald Morrison, who has not yet reached retirement age, said: “The milestone of 45 years seems like a good time to hang up the gavel and step out of the box to let the next generation in. The team has been working together for a while now as part of the Company’s succession planning, so it will essentially be business as usual for our customers at the sales.”

He continued: “I’m often asked how long it takes to train as an auctioneer and the answer is: a lifetime. You’re never fully-fledged, there’s something new to learn every day because as farming changes, we have to change and adapt. I don’t think you can ever know it all. That’s why I’m looking forward to still being involved with the sales without being the man in the box, so I can, probably, enjoy it more – and keep learning.”

George Purves, Managing Director of United Auctions, said: “Donald has worked tirelessly for nearly half a century on behalf of the crofters and farmers in the West Coast of Scotland. As an Islander himself, he inherently understands the needs of the community, how the area works and will continue to add to his impressive legacy.”  

 

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Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com

Notes to editor

About United Auctions

United Auctions are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services.

 

 

Raymond Kennedy

OLC appoints United Auctions to operate Oban Mart

Press release

The Board of Oban Livestock Centre (OLC) is pleased to announce the appointment of United Auctions as new operators of Oban Mart.

The decision was made at the Centre’s AGM held today (30 May 2017) where shareholders had the chance to discuss the Board’s recommendation at length and endorsed it.

OLC Chairman, Duncan Buchanan, said: “Given the challenges faced by the industry in the future, we are pleased to work with United Auctions and hope that our Centre prospers for the benefit of our shareholders.”

George Purves, Managing Director of United Auctions, said: “We are delighted to be the new operators of Oban Mart and are committed to enhancing Oban Livestock Centre and the local economy for the farmers and crofters in the West of Scotland and the islands.

“Our priority is to reinvigorate the sales to make them more effective and well attended. We believe competition comes from a large ring of buyers and we will use our extensive customer network, experience and marketing expertise to attract more buyers to the sales.

“Our permanently based staff in the West, including Raymond Kennedy, will be supported by our senior management team and our cattle and sheep teams as required. We will also work with existing staff at Oban to operate the sales and the day-to-day running of the operation.”

Five auction companies tendered for the position of preferred operator of Oban Mart. The first sale to take place with United Auctions running the auctioneering service will be on Tuesday 13 June.

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Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com

Notes to editor

About United Auctions

United Auctions are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services.