Pictured: Abigail Selwood, administrator/negotiator at Graham Penny Auctions with NAVA Chairman, Guy Charrison 

A member of staff at a leading firm of Derby auctioneers is celebrating after being awarded the title of Auctioneer of the Year by the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers (NAVA).

Abigail Selwood, administrator/negotiator at Graham Penny Auctions on The Strand in Derby, scooped the prestigious award after her auctioneering skills were put to the test at a simulation auction, complete with a purposely awkward audience, which took place at Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth.

The competition, which is run by the NAVA, provides novice auctioneers with the opportunity to showcase their auctioneering skills in front of an audience made up of qualified and experienced auctioneers.

Entrants were each given twelve minutes to sell four lots at a simulation auction in front of an audience of experienced auctioneers, who set out to challenge the novices with a series of disruptions. 

As the winner of NAVA Auctioneer of the Year Award, Abigail was invited to conduct a charity auction and three lots were sold, which raised more than £500 for the National Federation of Property Professionals (NfoPP) Benevolent Fund.

Abigail joined Graham Penny Auctions when it was launched in 2006 and since the launch of the firm's estate agency division in Spring 2009 she has been working on both the auction and estate agency sides of the business.

She has achieved the NFoPP technical award in Real Property Auctioneering and NFoPP diploma in Residential Estate Agency and is now one of the most highly qualified estate agents in the city.

Commenting on her success, Abigail, said:

"I am delighted to have won the NAVA Auctioneer of the Year competition, which has given me the opportunity to practice my auctioneering skills and the confidence to progress my career as an auctioneer."

Graham Penny added:

"I would like to congratulate Abigail on winning the highly coveted title of Auctioneer of the Year. Since she joined the company, she has worked extremely hard on expanding her skills and experience and this award really is the icing on the cake."

"Her knowledge and expertise will prove invaluable to the company as we continue to expand both our auction and estate agency divisions," added Graham.

Graham Penny Auctions acts for both private individuals and institutions selling a wide range of interests, from investment properties and vacant houses to building plots, commercial investment properties and others. 

Graham Penny Estates is the residential estate agency arm of the Graham Penny Group and specialises in the sale of residential properties throughout the East Midlands.