Black Isle Show stalwart Rod MacKenzie takes up new post with ANM Group
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ONE of the best-known faces in Ross-shire farming circles started a new job this week, leaving a major gap to fill.
Rod MacKenzie, a long-standing secretary of the Black Isle Farming Society, which runs the Black Isle Show, has started as centre manager for Caithness and Shetland for Aberdeen & Northern Marts.
It's part of the ANM Group, one of Scotland’s leading farming, food and finance businesses.
A former auctioneer at Dingwall, he has for the past 14 years conducted livestock sales in Shetland on behalf of ANM and Shetland Livestock Marketing Group. As well as his vital role at the heart of the Black Isle Show, he is also currently convener of the Crofting Commission.
Mr MacKenzie said: "It was a difficult decision to make. ANM came and asked me if I would like to do the job. When someone offers you something, I believe you shouldn't dismiss it out of hand."
Beauly-based Mr Mackenzie started the job with a sale involving £7000 at Quoybrae.
He said he would show the ropes to his successor in the Black Isle Show job. The event was postponed this year. Mr Mackenzie said: "The good thing is it's nearly a year until the next one."
Grant Rogerson, chief executive at ANM Group, said: “Rod brings a wealth of industry and auctioneering experience, and a great affiliation with Caithness and the Northern Isles, further building on our strong reputation for providing an excellent livestock marketing service right across Scotland.”
Robin Anderson, head of livestock operations at ANM Group said: “This is a positive step for the group, as a farmer’s co-operative, we are committed to growing our membership in the North and Northern Isles, delivering the benefits of membership in the area. Caithness and Shetland are an important part of our livestock division and to the businesses of our members and customers in these areas, as we deliver a range of professional services to meet their needs. We are delighted that Rod is taking up this role and we look forward to working with him".
Mr MacKenzie takes up the role as centre manager in Caithness from Stuart Slesser, who has regularly supported Thainstone sales, and will now return to Thainstone on a permanent basis.
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