Three new non-executive directors are to be co-opted onto the board of the ANM Group at Thainstone, as a result of the forth coming retirement of two of its most highly regarded team.

At the Group's AGM in April, chairman, Pete Watson and longstanding board director, Tom Johnston are set to retire from the ANM Group following many years service to the farmer owned co-operative.

“It has been a privilege to serve on the board and to be chairman of ANM for the last five years," said Mr Watson.

"I believe now is the right time for me to stand aside and ensure new talent has the opportunity to come forward. Over the years of my board service, we have faced and dealt with many challenges, but the experience has been one which I have hugely enjoyed.

"With the Group in such a strong position to develop exciting plans and given the focus of our ambitious and very able executive team and board, the future looks bright. I’d like to thank vice- chairman Mike Macaulay for his support over the years and wish the board good fortune going forward.

"I look forward to continuing to support the Group in the future and will continue to be a regular mart attender!”

Tom Johnston, outgoing deputy vice-chairman added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the board, it has provided me the opportunity to work with some great people and contribute to the success of the business.

"With ANM having such deep community roots here in the North East, it has been a pleasure over the past 11 years, and to support my home community’s rural economy in doing so. This co-operative will go from strength to strength, always working in its members’ best interests," added Mr Johnston.

Ian Sim and Keith Walker are being immediately co-opted, taking their places at the March board meeting, whilst Mark Gall will join the board at its May meeting.

The three new board members bring with them a wealth of industry and commercial experience to support the ambitious growth plans for the auction business.

Mr Sim, who runs a successful livestock operation, finishing 2000 cattle annually, buying store cattle regularly through the Thainstone-based Group for finishing.”

Keith Walker, former RNAS president and well-known figure in the agricultural industry works on his own arable unit alongside the family business of G and B Walker. Mr Walker also runs a successful children’s nursery business with his wife locally and has further interest in property, letting office and commercial space.

Mark Gall, who is co-opted to join the board in May, has fulfilled senior leadership roles within corporate and commercial banking in the North of Scotland for the Royal Bank of Scotland, leading teams in Aberdeen, Inverness, and Dundee with significant levels of asset and income management.

Grant Rogerson, chief Executive of ANM Group added: “I want to thank Pete and Tom for their support and counsel over the years which has helped build our current position of strength.”

“They leave with the Group in a very positive position, with a strong, diverse team and a robust and ambitious strategy, and I am very optimistic about the future. Our new non-executive director appointments, drawing on their diversified experiences, will make a great contribution to the business at a time of opportunity and growth for the Group.