[H]&H Group Plc have announced that Michael Scott will take up the position of Chairman.
Taking over as Chairman of H&H Group PLC from Ian Lancaster, who has held this position for the last two years and is stepping down due to work commitments, is renowned Northumberland Farmer Michael Scott. Michael was appointed a Non-Executive Director to the Group Board in 2005 and will commence his position as Chairman on July 1st.
Michael has been involved with the H&H for most of his life, initially selling and buying Blue-Grey Cattle at Harrison and Hetherington’s Newcastleton, Roadhead and Haltwhistle Auction Marts and, more recently, trading continental cattle at Borderway. Born and brought up on the family farm, East Coanwood on the Whitfield Estate near Haltwhistle, Michael moved to farm at Thirlwall Castle in 1963. Today, he lives near Lanercost with his wife Tina.
Michael has been involved in various agricultural enterprises, and as a Board Member of the H&H Group for the last thirteen years, has an in depth understanding of the organisation, which includes one of the largest livestock trading companies in the UK. Now semi-retired, Michael feels that the time is right for him to make the commitment needed to assume the position of Chairman of one Cumbria’s most diverse and progressive businesses.
Speaking earlier today, he said: “It is both an honour and a privilege to be invited to take up this role. As Chairman, my aim is to work with my fellow Board Members to support and help integrate our new CEO into the organisation, and to continue to further develop both our agricultural and commercial enterprises for the benefit of shareholders and all stakeholders.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Brian Richardson who has been our CEO for the last ten years and to wish him well in the future. During this time the business has evolved and grown considerably.
Going forward, our aim is to build on our assets and to work with our tremendous teams of staff to take the Group forward to the next level and to strengthen our position in the areas of business, and locations, in which we operate.”
The H&H Group was founded originally as farmstock auctioneers and today, with nine Harrison & Hetherington Auction Marts, auctioneering is still very much a part of its business. The Group operates as a holding company with its seven successful operating companies encompassing Livestock, Machinery and Vehicle Auctioneers, Brokers and Valuers, Estate Agents, Auction Rooms, Commercial Printers in addition to Chartered Surveyors, and Insurance Brokers.
