A TOP Cumbrian auctioneer student has been recognised at a graduation ceremony.

Joe Bowman of Harrison & Hetherington, based at Rosehill in Carlisle, collected the 'Golden Gavel' Dick Harrison Trust award as the top first year student, during the Annual Graduation Ceremony for the Livestock Market Operations and Management course, hosted by Harper Adams University and attended by the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA).

Joe Bowman, who has been with H&H since August 2015 and works mainly out of Borderway, Lazonby, Kirkby Stephen and Middleton in Teesdale, also feels the collaborative approach and ability to share knowledge has helped him achieve impressive grades on completion of the first year.

“The course is aimed to educate auctioneers in legal and financial matters, and anything involved in the day-to-day running of a modern livestock market,” he says.

“The support and guidance from my fellow colleagues and the team at H&H has really helped to give me the best possible chance to get the highest grades.”

The course aims to provide the bedrock of knowledge and skills needed by anybody aspiring to succeed in livestock auction practice.

Chris Dodds, executive secretary of the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association comments, “It is crucial for the success of the industry that we encourage and nurture the next generation of livestock auctioneers, and the dedication and commitment demonstrated by this year’s graduates bodes well for the future.”

The winners of the Golden Gavel and LAA Gavel awards were recently announced during the Annual Graduation Ceremony for the Livestock Market Operations and Management course, hosted by Harper Adams University and attended by the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA).

Daniel Slade, livestock procurement manager at Thame Farmers Auction Mart was awarded the LAA Gavel for the highest achieving graduating student, while Joe Bowman of Harrison & Hetherington (H&H), collected the ‘Golden Gavel’ Dick Harrison Trust award as the top first year student.

Daniel was joined by fellow graduating student and Ruswarp Mart auctioneer Danielle Halley, with both receiving their fellowships for the LAA during the ceremony, the culmination of four years study while in full-time employment.