THE Dick Harrison Trust has appointed Martin Hall as a new Trustee following the retirement of well-known farmer and long serving Trustee, David Goldie.

Martin is Senior Director and Land Agent with Davidson & Robertson, a firm of rural surveyors and consultants that has offices across Scotland and Northern England. He was unanimously appointed by the Trustees at their AGM.

The Trust was established following the death of Dick Harrison the much respected auctioneer, who spent his working life with Harrison and Hetherington in Carlisle. Dick's skill as an auctioneer, his business acumen and commitment to farming were recognised locally and nationally in numerous ways, and he was awarded the Blamire Medal in 1987, for his services to agriculture.

A driving force for innovation and diversification, Dick was also very passionate about education and bringing on the next generation. In setting up the Dick Harrison Trust, that legacy continues.

The Trust makes small financial awards to students who are keen to develop a career in livestock auctioneering or rural estate management. It focuses specifically on young people who were born in (or they/their parents now live in) Northumbria, Cumbria, or Scotland.

Chair of the Trust, Nick Utting, said “Martin is well known in the farming community right across Northern England and Scotland. He was born in Cumbria and is an established Land Agent in Scotland with thirty years’ experience at Davidson & Robertson. His knowledge of agriculture and land agency will benefit the Trust enormously, particularly north of the border.”

Commenting on his appointment Martin said “I remember watching Dick at work when I was younger, so it’s an honour to be asked to become a Trustee – especially when the focus of the Trust is to encourage young talent into auctioneering and professional rural services. At D&R, we’ve grown the number of opportunities for work placements and graduates and it’s extremely rewarding to see young, innovative talent coming through - it’s something we all need to encourage.

“I’m looking forward to spreading the word about The Dick Harrison Trust – not only to young people who may benefit, but also to businesses and organisations that may be able to support it in some way.”

Dawn Harrison is Dick’s daughter and a Trustee, she said “We’d like to thank David Goldie for his many years of support and service to the Trust and are delighted that Martin has agreed to become a Trustee. His appointment marks the start of a new phase for the Trust, one which aims to broaden the awareness of what we can do and at the same time, introduce new openings for businesses and individuals to contribute to funds and support to grow a great generation of rural specialists for our farming future.”

An application form and details of the Dick Harrison Trust can be found on the website www.dickharrisontrust.org.uk