An auctioneer from Kivells has won Auctioneer of the Year at the national Mart’s The Heart awards.

Kivells Director Russell Steer, from Kivells Exeter Market, and James Morrish, from Kivells Holsworthy and Exeter Markets, were delighted to be shortlisted for the Auctioneer of the Year award.

A proud achievement for Kivells, highlighting the professionalism of the established team and underlines how well-respected they are across the west country and beyond.

Russell and James were in the top five nominees from across the UK, with votes being cast online and by post. Further to voting, a judging panel of three industry experts helped make the final decision.

Russell, a 32-year-old auctioneer with over ten years’ experience, was delighted to receive the award at the British Farming Awards 2018 during a ceremony at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham.

He was inspired to pursue a career in agriculture having attended the Kivells Exeter market as a child with his father, a farmer from Totnes.

Today he heads up the sheep section which has gone from strength to strength with solid weekly sales of both prime and store sheep, as well as nationally renowned breeding sheep sales the size and quality of which rival any in Southern England.

Russell was delighted to accept his award: “Coming from a farming background it was a dream come true to peruse a successful career at a company of the stature and respect of Kivells and to work in the very place my father took me as a child. To be recognised for my work on a national level is a great feeling and, with two nominations in this years’ awards, a very proud moment which demonstrates the team work and professionalism here at Kivells.”