Derek joined WRJ Greenslade & Co in 1983 from Berry Bros in Northampton. A dairy farmer’s son from Castle Cary in Somerset, he trained at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester and was articled at RB Taylor & Son in Yeovil in 1978. Derek became an equity partner in 1986 at the age of 27. He heads up the farm sales department as a specialist live and deadstock auctioneer and spends up to two days a week at Sedgemoor Auction Centre. In 2009 he took over the management of the antiques department based at The Octagon Saleroom, Taunton, where he, along with his team, including his wife Samantha, conduct monthly Antique and Specialist Sales, as well as General Sales staged at Sedgemoor Auction Centre. After 13 years he handed over the management of the antiques department but is still very much involved in all aspects. Derek has also completed 40 years on the rostrum! He is on the Arbitrator’s panel for specialist livestock valuations of all types. He is actively involved in carrying out TB valuations in Wales and in his spare time he manages his livestock farm in the Vale of Taunton.