It is the end of an era at H&H Group as the last remaining member of the Harrison family stands down from its board after 24 years.
With a heritage of 150 years and founded and operating as a Cumbrian business for almost 100 years, Harrison & Hetherington has seen many changes and additions during its long and successful history.
Dawn Harrison, who has come to the end of her terms as a non-executive member of the H&H Group board, is the last living member of the company’s two founding families, the Harrisons and the Hetheringtons, to serve on the Bbard.
After the H&H company was formed in 1925, it was Dawn’s father, Dick, who masterminded the company’s rehoming to Borderway, a move which revolutionised the livestock trading company.
Speaking at the AGM, she described how her relationship with H&H started a long time before joining the board, hearing her father talk so passionately about the mart, and dawn to dusk living H&H.
She added: “When I took my place on the board 24 years ago, I had some insights and had gleaned some very sage advice from my father, specifically that the H&H business is based on relationships and trust, and that there is great value in passion and commitment. These are all energies which I believe should be continually encouraged.”
Dawn is a senior lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire and working with business and management students works within the MBA Team Her particular interest is in the learning process and supporting students to develop. She is also a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Michael Scott, chairman of H&H Group, said: “With Dawn’s background, she understands the fundamentals of staff support and development, and her knowledge of the traditions and marketplace the company occupied was invaluable Incredibly balanced in her views, Dawn always brought with her a human side, as well as a business head, and always considering the people involved in any decision.
“These are exciting times for the H&H Group, and we are incredibly grateful for all the help and advice Dawn has provided throughout her term. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Dawn for her commitment and continuous input and support.”
Dawn will retain her position as an independent trustee of the H&H Employees Trust.
Dawn added: “My personal philosophy is ‘enlightened shareholder value’ – this means that looking after staff, suppliers, and customers will result in benefit to shareholders. Interestingly, with H&H we have customers who buy and sell, are shareholders, and in some cases, they also work for H&H – the full ticket!
“It has genuinely been a privilege to have had a role on the board, and to learn from, and support the companies within the group. I am excited by the energy and skills new team members bring to the board. I am confident that they will support our committed executive directors and staff, and that our company has a positive future.”
