CCM announces changes at board level
Anthony Hewetson, a well-known and familiar face at Skipton Auction Mart, regularly seen around all the sale rings, has stepped down as a director of CCM Auctions, for nigh on the past decade serving as chairman of the board.
Mr Hewetson, who farms sheep and beef cattle with his family at Newton Hall, Bank Newton, and Sandford Farm, Giggleswick, was first elected to the Craven Cattle Marts board in 2008, becoming chairman three years later in May, 2011.
He had originally intended to hand over the chairmanship at the annual meeting last May, but agreed to continue in order to maintain stability as Skipton Auction Mart successfully responded to the enforced vagaries of Covid-19 to allow it to continue trading.
CCM’s general manager and auctioneer Jeremy Eaton said: “Anthony has proved an excellent high profile chair, leading from the front and successfully guiding us through the many challenges thrown up by the pandemic. His input on the sales side has been invaluable, not only in helping to ensure both continuity and stability, but also proving key to our transition to the next level.”
Mr Hewetson commented: “While it’s been business as usual during the pandemic, this could not have been achieved without the sterling efforts of the CCM management team, as well as the support of mart staff, vendors and buyers alike. It’s an appropriate time for me to step down, safe in the knowledge that I leave both the board and the mart in extremely capable hands.”
CCM’s vice-chairman, Blubberhouses sheep and beef cattle farmer Kevin Wilson – he farms with his wife Daphne and son, James – has taken over as chairman. He was elected to the board a decade ago and commented: “Anthony will be a hard act to follow and all I can hope to do is carry on and build on his good work as CCM continues to respond to future challenges and opportunities in the current climate and beyond.”
Stepping up to become vice-chairman is Threshfield dairy cattle and sheep farmer Angus Dean, who follows in the footsteps of his late father, Anthony, a mart stalwart who himself served as chairman of the board.
Hartlington farmer Michael Daggett has been co-opted on to the board. He breeds pedigree Beef Shorthorn cattle, Swaledale and North of England Mule ewes, is a cattle steward at Kilnsey Show and as well his agricultural interests, also runs a contracting business, Hartlington Fencing Supplies, dealing with the agricultural, industrial and residential sectors.