[T]he UK’s largest livestock trading company, Harrison and Hetherington, announces today the promotion of two senior members of staff, to Joint Managing Directors. The two, David Pritchard, formerly Operations Director for Harrison and Hetherington, and Scott Donaldson, formerly the Company’s Sales Director, take up their positions, with immediate effect.
Both are exceptionally well known within the livestock auctioneering industry, and both have an in-depth knowledge of the Company’s business and livestock trading. The new position for Scott and David recognises the importance of their knowledge and expertise in the company, as well as their joint capacity to work together over many years. David will have the responsibility and focus for the operations of the business, Scott will lead the sales team, and both will be responsible for the overall running of the farmstock business, reporting directly to the Group’s new CEO, Richard Rankin.
Operating nine auction marts, across the north of England and Scottish Borders, and employing 300 members of staff, Harrison & Hetherington is at the core of H&H Group PLC’s Agri-business operations. Responsible for local and nationally important livestock sales, and major exhibitions at the company’s main site at Borderway, Carlisle, the roles of the two inevitably crossed and helped cement their partnership, which is further recognised today. These are two key roles, which are crucial to the continuing success and development of the Group as a whole.
David has been Operations Director at Harrison & Hetherington since 2001, and was previously their Senior Livestock Auctioneer and has an in depth knowledge having dedicated his entire career to the auctioneering industry. He is responsible for managing the operations, infrastructure, logistics and events, at both Borderway and the individual mart sites.
Commenting, David said: “I am delighted to take up this position and see it as a tremendous opportunity to build on the success of the business. It is important that we continue to provide a first class and efficient service for our customers and try and get it right most of the time. Both Scott and I enjoy working together – it’s an important moment for the company, and a chance to look, again, at where we can take it, with new ideas and perspectives from Richard, our new CEO, and our chairman Michael Scott.”
Scott has spent his entire career in Livestock Trading and Auctioneering, and joined the H&H team eight years ago. Building on very strong foundations, across both the commercial and pedigree livestock sectors, he too has had a key role in the company’s growth and expansion. Responsible for the sales, Scott is also part of a team of 12, highly respected auctioneers.
Scott adds: “We both enjoy working with the tremendous team we have here – and with the many loyal customers and buyers who are our livelihood and our partners in success. Both David and I are looking forward to this new challenge, and our most important objective going forward is to ensure that we have a strong and stable trading business, to maximise the potential for all of our customers.”
Harrison & Hetherington has its head office and main livestock centre in Borderway Auction Mart, Carlisle, which is one of the largest mart sites in the UK. The business also holds UK livestock events each year – its integral Exhibition Centre hosts Agri Expo and Dairy Expo, which bring farmers and agri-related businesses together from across the country, and internationally. Harrison & Hetherington’s other mart sites are vital to the farming communities they serve, covering substantial areas from Newton St Boswells in the north, Wooler in the north east and Lockerbie, Kirby Stephen, Middleton in Teesdale and Broughton-in-Furness along with seasonal marts at Lazonby and Newcastleton.
In addition to livestock trading, Harrison and Hetherington also hosts regular auctions of Machinery, tractors and farm equipment and in addition antiques and equipment, through its H&H Auction Rooms business.
Commenting on their new MD positions, recently appointed Non-Executive Chairman of H&H Group PLC, Michael Scott, said: “With the recent appointment of a new Chief Executive, this is an appropriate time for this change. I know that Scott and David will
work together, with our new Chief Executive, to build on the very strong market position and reputation Harrison & Hetherington has, with the business evolving to meet the demands of an ever-changing, trading environment.”
