Carlisle-based H&H Group has welcomed its new chairman Will Hamilton, of Bee Edge Farm, Coldingham, in Berwickshire.
At the group’s annual meeting, Will took up the position from retiring chairman Michael Scott after serving for five years as a non-executive director and recently as vice-chairman.
The H&H Group is a holding company for the UK’s largest livestock trading company, Harrison and Hetherington, and three other operating companies encompassing livestock, machinery and vehicle auctioneers, brokers and valuers, estate agents, auction rooms, commercial printing and signage manufacture, website development, chartered surveyors, and insurance brokers.
A widely respected farmer and businessman, Will aims to brings all his experience into play to guide the group’s growth and development. “It has been a privilege to have been on the board for the past five years and a great honour to be invited to serve as chair of this outstanding group of businesses,” he
said.
“I have had the opportunity to work with a fantastic team of people here at H&H and, despite the disruption of Covid, under the excellent stewardship of Michael Scott the group has forged ahead.
“I would like to acknowledge my huge respect for the outgoing chair and offer my thanks to Michael and to our CEO, Richard Rankin, for enabling me to take the chair of a business in such a strong position for the future.”
Will describes himself as a stockman through and through, with cattle as a passion as well as a profession. He farms in a family partnership with his wife Carol and daughter Annabel.
They produce 350 finished cattle a year for the quality butcher trade, buying and selling through H&H markets. Will has a deep understanding of the fundamental importance of the live auction trade and the value of the H&H Group’s core auctioneering business.
“Live markets continue to have a central place in the future of the agricultural world,” he said. “Our seven auction marts offer a blend of trading, socialising and exchanging ideas that is unique, and Harrison and Hetherington has been at the forefront of adding a whole new digital dimension to the value of live auctioneering.
“Next year H&H will have been based at Borderway for 50 years, and my aim is to help make all our H&H businesses fit for the next 50 years.
“The agricultural sector and the wider rural economy are adapting to major changes and, as a group deeply rooted in these sectors, we can provide them with the support they need to build a successful future.
“Our H&H Land & Estates business and H&H Insurance Brokers are growing in scale and expanding geographically into the North East and Yorkshire because we are providing a quality of advice and service that farmers, landowners, and rural businesses trust.
He will also help progress the group’s expansion into key related areas of the rural economy.
Will added: “We will continue to drive and evolve all our businesses to serve the next generation of farmers, landowners, and rural businesses and we are already engaging with the next generation of employees and customers in many important ways.
“Further developing this engagement is one of my most important priorities.”
H&H Group chief executive Richard Rankin said: “Will fully embraces our traditional values and qualities, but he is just as passionately committed to the innovation and investment in our services, infrastructure and technology that will continue to make us relevant to the next generation of H&H customers and clients.”
