A NEW team will be at the helm of United Auctions from the beginning of next year as its senior executive team stand down from their management roles.

Group managing directors Robin Tough and Neil McLean and executive chairman David Leggat, who have led the Company since completing an MBO in 2007, will continue at UA, but with different roles in a non-executive and advisory capacity from the end of December 2016.

Taking over the reins of UA’s operational responsibility will be David Brown, Donald Morrison, John Roberts, Christopher Sharp, Matt Stevenson and Donald Young with George Purves becoming managing director. These seven directors have been running the livestock auctioneers business since their promotion to the executive team in December 2014, as part of the company’s succession planning.

"This is not retirement," said UA's executive chairman, David Leggat. "Between Robin, Neil and myself, the three of us have 120years service with United Auctions. Robin and I will continue in a supportive and ambassadorial role on farm visits and at commercial and pedigree events, whereas Neil will continue on the board as a non-executive director.

“The Company has taken many forms over its long history and we’re proud to have played our part in successfully leading the business in its most recent era. Now it’s time for us to hand over the baton and allow the next generation to take the business into a new chapter.

“We’ve always believed in the importance of succession planning. We nurture skills, knowledge and experience at all levels of the company to ensure future sustainability for our staff, customers and the sector.

“The new management team, with whom we’ve shared management responsibility for the past two years, has the quality, strength and depth to take the business forward with the same dedication to continuity of care, service and personnel.”

He added: “In the meantime, we look forward to seeing and speaking with our many customers at the upcoming sales and events as normal.”

George Purves, who will take on the role of MD, said: “With its generations of strong leaders before us, we’re immensely proud to be charged with managing company operations.”

Photo: United Auctions' senior team (l-r) Group MDs Robin Tough, Neil McLean and Executive Chairman David Leggat.