Ben has been involved in livestock ever since his father started taking him to Melton Market as a small boy to watch the rearing calves sell and working in that section on school holidays from the age of 13. He joined as an employee in 2000 just after graduating from Seale Hayne university with an Honours degree in Rural Estate Management and was propelled into auctioneering the fur and feather department, annual ram sales and the occasional egg sale before having the opportunity to auction rearing calves after the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth.

In 2007 he started to work alongside his father in the lotting, advising and selling of both the reared and store cattle. He is also a member of the Livestock Auctioneers Association and a Non Executive Director of Gillstream Markets Ltd, the operators of the Market.

Aside from the Market, Ben is a partner in Shouler & Son, based in Melton Mowbray where he undertakes advising clients on all aspects of farming and rural matters. He is a keen sportsman regularly turning out for Melton Rugby Club, playing weekly indoor football and tries to get one or two games of golf in each year. He also has a passion for vintage and old cars and is a member of the Vintage Sports Car Club and MG Owners club. He really would like to find an old vintage car in a farmers barn so if you have one then call him!

Ben married Lucy in 2015 and they recently had their first child, William, and they report him to have some big lungs so another auctioneer in the making!

Simon has been involved in Melton Mowbray Market since 1976, initially selling game. He became a partner in the firm in 1983 and is now Chairman of the Limited company.
During his time at the market he has been responsible for selling all classes of cattle and sheep at some point.

He is a fellow of the Royal institute of Chartered Surveyors, Central Association of Agricultural Valuers and The Livestock Auctioneers Association. Simon is resident agent at the local Stoke Rochford Estate.

Simon is married to Julia. In his spare time he is to be found shooting, watching rugby or walking Lola, his new black lab, along Brancaster Beach.
Simon is available to discuss all aspects of livestock marketing.

Hugh is the CEO of Melton Mowbray Market and founder of its operator Gillstream Markets Ltd. Hugh is passionate about the value of markets, having been looked after by his mum while she ran an antiques stall in Portobello Road and subsequently graduating to the London Stock Exchange, where he spent 17 years. He then ran the UK for Europe’s largest guarantor and processor of share trading where buyers & sellers paid an immediate risk premium and were not able to take stock without payment or vice versa. This is very different to where livestock markets are today and Hugh is a strong believer in their prospects to deliver better and safer services to their customers. He is learning about livestock every week and is very grateful to everyone for their support.