New chair and vice chair to support the on-going work of executive team
Alastair Brown, senior auctioneer at Bletsoes, has been elected as the new chairman of the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA). He will be assisted by former Welsh LAA chairman Keith Davies, who was appointed as vice chair of the national LAA council, with both announcements made during the AGM of the LAA on 20th November 2022.
Long-standing national LAA council members, both Mr Brown and Mr Davies will continue to work closely with the LAA executive team, headed up by executive secretary Chris Dodds and supported by development officer Zanna Dennis.
Mr Brown, a dairy farmer’s son originally from Cheshire, takes over the role of chair from Bob Mosley of Lodge & Thomas in Truro, following his highly productive two-year term of office.
Starting his auctioneering career back in 1989 as a clerk, booking calves in at Crewe, Beeston and Chester Auctions, Mr Brown has been at Bletsoes for seven years, taking the role as senior auctioneer and manager of both Thrapston and Stratford-upon-Avon livestock markets.
During this time he has led the market team in the expansion and strengthening of the auctioneering services undertaken by the firm.
“I am looking forward to working even more closely with the LAA and in particular with Chris Dodds, who has been able to give auctioneers a voice in government, other organisations and large companies, on behalf of auctioneers throughout the country,” says Mr Brown.
Looking ahead to future challenges and opportunities, Mr Brown believes the role of the auctioneer will be crucial in supporting producers to market their stock.
“Producers and vendors need to step back and look at marketing their goods, rather than getting tied into complicated contracts that can soon be changed by their buyers,” he says.
“As auctioneers we create a level supply and demand which can be quickly changed through marketing, by having many different buyers rather than one dictating what they require,” he adds.
Mr Brown will be closely supported by Keith Davies, a partner of Morris Marshall & Poole, and director of Welshpool Livestock Sales.
Brought up on a mixed dairy, beef and sheep farm, Mr Davies has always been involved in the day to day running of a farm, at the same time working his way through the livestock marketing system to his current role as director of the largest livestock auction centre in Wales.
“I look forward to working with Alastair, Chris and the team to represent the interests of the industry, and the red meat sector across England and Wales,” says Mr Davies.
Chris Dodds, executive secretary of the LAA welcomed the appointments, saying “I look forward to working even more closely with Alastair and Keith, along with the rest of the council, as we continue to represent the industry at all levels, taking the lead on key initiatives and programmes to help support the future of our livestock producers.”