ONE of Scottish livestock auctioneerings’ most well established faces is changing allegiances, after nearly four decades with the same business.

Robin Anderson, who is currently managing director and senior cattle auctioneer with Wallets Marts, based out of Castle Douglas, has announced that he is to depart from the role after almost 39 years of service.

Robin, who has been managing director and CEO of the south-west Scotland livestock auctioneers since August 1995 is now heading north to take up the role of head of operations of the livestock division of the Aberdeen and Northern Marts Group, based at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.

Whilst livestock auctioneering remains the core business of Wallets Marts, recent times have seen the company diversifying into land agency trading as Wallets Rural Property Services and direct farm to abattoir sales trading as Galloway Primestock. In total, Wallets now trades in excess of £21 million worth of livestock annually.

Speaking after a board meeting on Wednesday, June 26, the chairman of the Wallets Marts’ board, Andrew Nelson explained that Robin had approached them to explain that he had been offered the new position and after much deliberation, had decided to take the plunge.

Mr Nelson told the Scottish Farmer: “Robin has put his all into the business at Wallets Marts and he will continue to do so until he leaves us at the end of December.

“We will be advertising for a new manager to take up the role in January. As a board, we will continue to push on with Robin’s good work and whoever steps into the role will do the same. Robin is Wallets Marts through and through and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Chief executive of ANM Group, Grant Rogerson, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming Robin into the team at ANM Group when he takes up his role as head of operations, livestock division, later in the year. He will bring with him extensive industry knowledge and expertise vital for delivering the group's strategic growth plan.

"As we made clear earlier in the year, ANM Group is continuing to invest in the future to adapt to a changing agricultural environment and will continue to make significant operational changes that will build a stronger business across its diverse activities. These changes will cement our position as a leading co-operative enterprise and Scotland's most progressive auction business."

Elsewhere in the livestock auctioneering industry, fears over the future of north-west England auctioneers, Wright Marshall, following a run of cancelled sales at its Beeston Castle mart, Cheshire, proved justified, as the company went into administration.

As The Scottish Farmer went to press, the Wright Marshall website carried a blunt announcement, healined 'in administration': "The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by Anthony Collier and Ben Woolrych who were appointed Joint Administrators on June 26, 2019."