New president of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) is Alan Hutcheon, who has more 40 years’ experience as an auctioneer and in livestock market management.

Mr Hutcheon takes on the role from Donald Young at the end of his three-year tenure.

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 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 and H; Brian Ross of Lawrie and Symington; and Andrew Hunter Blair of Craig Wilson.

They take over from John Thomson (C and 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 and H).