David Pritchard, joint managing director of Harrison & Hetherington will be take a step back at the end of the year after 44 years with the company.
He will leave on December 31st.
Richard Rankin, chief executive of H&H Group, said: “With the farmstock business currently placed in the best possible position for the next decade, David feels the time has come to hand over the leadership and operational matters of the business to the next generation.
“Recognising the importance of succession planning David believes that now is the ideal time for them to take forward their future plans and new ideas.
“David will remain on hand for a further six months to ensure a smooth transition and handover of responsibilities and roles.”
David born and brought up on a hill farm in Herefordshire has worked in the auctioneering industry all his life.
He started his career with a Welsh auctioneering company at Abergavenny as a junior clerk just over 48 years ago when he left school.
In 1977 he moved north to join Harrison & Hetherington as an Auctioneer at Lockerbie Auction Mart and since this time he has progressed his career through the company.
He was promoted to general manager of the farmstock business in 1999, operations director in 2001, and joint managing director in 2018.
During his time with Harrison & Hetherington, David has seen many changes and experienced many challenges, but whatever he has been faced with he has always remained a passionate and leading ambassador for the company and the wider livestock and auctioneering industry.
Joint managing director of Harrison Hetherington Scott Donaldson has worked very closely with David for over 10 years and said: “David has had a huge influence on the business and the staff in his considered and steadying manner for many years.
“We have considerable talent and experience within the team and as a market leader, I know that H&H is well placed to continue to evolve and progress for the next generation of customers and staff.”
A former president of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland, David has been involved in all aspects of auctioneering and valuations. He has accrued an immense knowledge and experience, particularly on operational aspects, during his time at H&H and within the industry.
Giving his own comments to this announcement, David said “It has been an immense privilege to lead and be involved with such an incredible business. Harrison & Hetherington is a company which continues to grow from strength to strength and our aim has always been to provide a vital service to our farming community, together with industry partners from across the UK and further afield.
“I feel very proud to have worked with the H&H team and our customers for so many years, I know that the business will continue to thrive.”
Richard added: “David’s knowledge and expertise has been a tremendous asset to both Harrison & Hetherington and the wider livestock trading sector. This, together with his high levels of integrity, has hugely contributed to H&H enjoying its well-deserved reputation and standing within the market.
“David’s dedication and commitment are without question and something we all aspire to. I want to thank him for everything he has brought to the business and to the industry.
“l very much look forward to working with David and the team over the following six months, making this handover period as effective as possible.”
