A rural services group is embracing a major strategy shift as part of its mission to better support long-term growth in the countryside economy.
Carlisle-based H&H Group has officially launched its new identity as 'H+H', uniting its businesses and areas of expertise under a single brand.
The move brings together well-known companies Harrison & Hetherington, H&H Insurance Brokers, and H&H Land & Estates.
Richard Rankin, chief executive of H+H, said: "Rural Matters is more than a strapline - it reflects our responsibility to understand the bigger picture, look beyond the immediate business transaction and consider what decisions mean for livelihoods, families, land and communities.
"Rural Matters reflects our commitment to contribute practical knowledge and informed views to discussions about food production, land use and the future of rural communities."
"Through our work with farmers, landowners and rural businesses, we understand how these issues affect everyday decisions and their longer-term consequences.
"Someone who knows us through livestock may not realise we can also help with land, insurance or financial planning."
Mr Rankin explained that one H+H brings knowledge together, helping the firm to consider a customer’s plans as a whole and what they mean for their business and family.
The launch of the new H+H follows an 18-month consultation process involving employees, customers, stakeholders, and the wider rural community.
It aims to make H+H’s full suite of services more accessible while retaining the local knowledge and personal service that clients value.
H+H employs more than 330 people across northern England and southern Scotland and operates in seven areas of rural expertise: livestock trading, machinery sales, land and property sales and management, insurance broking, land and business consultancy, environmental advice, and financial services.
The company notes that many rural matters require a joined-up approach; for example, farm succession planning often involves decisions around livestock, land, finance, insurance, and the future of the family.
The October launch will introduce a new visual identity and website at hhrural.co.uk.
The full rollout will continue in phases over the following months.
H+H will use Rural Matters as a guiding principle, offering a platform for its specialists to share insights on succession, investment, environmental change, food production, and the broader issues shaping the rural economy.
The strategic realignment of the group has also involved the recent sale of H&H Land & Estates' residential estate agency and lettings division to My Property Box - a deal which was completed for an undisclosed sum in September.
The agreement has seen My Property Box acquire the residential sales and lettings operations in the region.
Residential lettings manager Pauline Carrera Silva is transferring to My Property Box as its director of sales and lettings in Cumbria, with branch manager Paul Doyle and the rest of the team also moving across to provide continuity for clients and ensure that current property sales and lettings can continue.
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