CARLISLE-based leading auctioneers, Harrison & Hetherington, has announced the appointment of Scott Donaldson as Managing Director.

Scott has been with H&H for over ten years, the last two as joint Managing Director.

Operating nine auction marts across the north of England and Scottish Borders and hosting regular digital sales, H&H is at the core of H&H Group PLC’s Agri-business operations. With an annual turnover in the region of £180 million, this internationally recognised livestock business sees a throughput of in excess 850,000 head of livestock across its auction marts and online trading platforms.

Richard Rankin, H&H Group CEO said: “Scott is the perfect man for the job. He has the right skill set and experience carried through from his previous roles. His career path has demonstrated continuous professional development, and in working alongside David Pritchard for the last ten years he has developed an in-depth understanding of the business and its needs for the future. Now is the time for him to step up and take overall responsibility.

Aged 53, Scott has worked within the livestock industry his entire career. Aged 17 he joined Perthshire’s Macdonald Fraser and Company Ltd part of the United Auctions Group as a trainee auctioneer. He quickly progressed, and in 1988 – aged only 21 – became the youngest auctioneer at the time, to take the Rostrum at the Perth Bull Sales to sell pedigree Simmental cattle. He joined H&H in 2010.

A former President of the IAAS, Scott is highly respected across both the commercial and pedigree sectors.

Married and living in Bardon Mill in Northumberland, Scott said: “We live in a very fast-moving world now, far removed from what worked 10 or 20 years ago. As such, we have to keep reacting and responding to new challenges. So, in taking up this role, my main aim is to make sure that both Harrison & Hetherington and the team behind it are well equipped to move forward into the next decade and beyond, grasping the full potential of innovation.

Scott adds: “It is absolutely vital now that livestock producers can work with us in a far more modern and digital fashion. However, I do not want to undermine the importance of the personal contact that comes through our network of auction mart centres across the North of England and Scottish Borders.