North-east farmers’ co-operative ANM Group honoured the long service of six members of staff at its directors’ Christmas lunch.
Executive director John Gregor paid tribute to staff who were either receiving long service awards or retiring from the company at the group’s Porterhouse Restaurant at the Thainstone Centre, near Inverurie.
He said: “We honour staff from across the business and its geographical trading area from Caithness, Elgin and Thainstone Centres, and from the yard, auctioneers and management.”
First up to be honoured for 48 years’ service at ANM was auctioneer and fieldsman Charlie Morrison who is set to retire from his role in the Buchan area early in the new year.
He was unable to attend the lunch, however Mr Gregor said a retirement “hoolie in Maud” was planned for early 2018.
Next up Mr Gregor paid tribute to John Bremner who has recently retired as centre manager at the Caithness Livestock Centre in Quoybrae.
He worked at the mart for 47 years, starting out as a junior clerk at Huntly and rising through the ranks to centre manager in the north.
“John has been, and continues to be, well respected by the Caithness community,” said John Gregor.
“He was instrumental over the years with the development of the Caithness Centre.”
Thereafter, Mr Gregor presented a long-service award to part-time yardsman Steven Sievewright who has worked at the company for 30 years.
As well as running his family farm, Mr Sievewright works at Thainstone’s weekly Friday sales.
Mr Gregor said: “Steven has proved to be a very capable stockman and has a tremendous eye when it comes to selecting and drawing cattle.”
Next up, Elgin Auction Centre manager Gordon Pirie was honoured for 49 years’ service.
Described as a “hard-working and committed member of staff” Mr Pirie is due to retire from the company after nearly half a century working there.
Thereafter, Mark Barrack, who heads up the group’s Thainstone Auction divison, was honoured for 30 years’ service.
He has worked his way through the ranks from an office clerk at the old Kittybrewster Marts in Aberdeen to being the lead auctioneer for specialist auctions and a professional with “the respect of the accountancy and liquidation sectors across Scotland”.
Lastly, Mr Gregor paid tribute to auction operations manager Alan Hutcheon who is taking early retirement from ANM Group after 38 years with the company.
He started at the company in May 1979 as an office boy in Aberdeen at the Central Mart, and in recent years he has been responsible for overseeing the livestock auctions and specialist sales at Thainstone as well as starring on the popular television programme The Mart.
Mr Gregor said: “Alan is well respected across the staff and has been a particular support and mentor to young auctioneers in his role.”
