North West Auctions is excited to announce two appointments among its management team to enable it to further develop its services.
Current L&K Group director Jonathan Hodgson has been elected as vice chairman of the L&K Group and will also head up and chair a new Livestock Board for the company. Current directors Stuart Cornthwaite, Alan Bargh, James Dixon and David Barton will also sit on this board, along with L&K Group chairman John Drinkall.
Meanwhile, current farmstock manager Paul Gentry will take up the position of managing director of livestock for the company and will also take up a director’s position on the L&K Group board. Alongside this current office manager Yvonne Willison will become Mr Gentry’s PA.
These changes come off the back of significant growth for the company in 2019, with strong stock numbers at both auction centres, Lancaster and J36.
Group chairman John Drinkall said these changes were designed to ensure the company could continue to serve its customers in challenging times. “The growth the company has experienced in the last 12 months is testament to the service delivered by the staff we have within the company and their abilities to meet the needs of our customers.”
Mr Gentry said he was looking forward to continuing to help the business grow in his new role, supporting staff as they work to deliver for customers in light of forthcoming changes within the farming sector.
“There is no doubt our customers are going to see some of the biggest changes in farming for a generation as support payment changes come on stream. Our staff are committed to helping our customers get the best possible prices for their stock and ensuring they can build sustainable businesses fit for the future.”
Mr Hodgson added that the formation of the new livestock board within the L&K Group was a sign of the company’s commitment to its livestock marketing businesses and ensuring it was best placed to meet the needs of its customers both today and in future.
“We have a highly skilled team within North West Auctions and they, like me, are focussed on delivering the best service we can for our customers. The live auction sector continues to come under pressure, but it is the barometer of stock values the length and breadth of the UK and the growth we have seen in 2019 is a sign of the faith our customers have in both North West Auctions and the wider auction market sector,” he said.