The Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) is delighted to congratulate the five young auctioneers who have become Fellows and Associates after successfully completing the next stage of their professional qualifications.
Graduating at a ceremony at Harper Adams University in January 2026, Gemma Duguid, Andrew Gunn and Fraser Chapman, all of ANM Group, received their Fellowship to the Institute (FIA Scot) at a second celebration at the recent IAAS Centenary dinner held in Edinburgh.
This follows four years of commitment in addition to the day job to complete a Certificate of Higher Education in Livestock Market Operations and Management.
“IAAS is very pleased to offer this professional pathway for young auctioneers committing to a career in this brilliant industry and to give them the opportunity for continuous professional and personal development,” said Neil Wilson, Executive Director of IAAS. “Fellowship is hard won and demonstrates a full commitment to the profession, offering credibility and the authority to undertake more demanding areas of auctioneering and valuation practice. This valuable expertise and experience are core to the success of our sector.”
Gemma was also recognised as the top Scottish student, receiving the M J Thomson Award.
In addition to the fellowships, two young auctioneers became associates of the Institute. Associateship is the first step into formal membership of IAAS and is awarded to second year students who have successfully completed a foundation level of studies at Harpers Adams and have a clear competence to undertake the full role of an auctioneer. This year, associateship was awarded to Lucy Pittendrigh of Lawrie and Symington and John McCulloch of Wallets Marts.
Anders Brown, of Harrison and Hetherington, who has just completed his first year of the course at Harper Adams, received the Dick Harrison Trust Plaque, recognised jointly with another, as the top student in first year.
The Institute, which celebrates 100 years this year, was initially formed in 1926 to professionalise the sector when, under economic and political pressures, the mart businesses of the time realised that cooperation and a collective voice to stand up for the interests of the marts and promote the mart system would create greater mutual benefit.
Since, IAAS has fought for the interests of marts, including through the especially difficult times of BSE, Foot & Mouth, Covid and policy changes, to get the best outcome for the marts and their customers. The Institute also introduced continuous professional development to professionalise the sector, strengthening the member marts and, under the IAAS brand, creating a trusted place with full accountability to buy and sell stock.
“IAAS extends its congratulations to all the newly qualified auctioneers and wishes them every success in their future careers,” added President of IAAS, Alan Hutcheon. “I know from the wonderful experience this industry has given me how rewarding it can be. It’s full of opportunity and plays such a vital role in the rural economy and the red meat supply chain.”