[A]fter exactly 10 years at the helm as Chief Executive of H&H Group PLC, Brian Richardson has announced he will be leaving the business later in the year.
With interests covering, auctioneering, property, insurance and printing during his time with the H&H Group Brian has guided the Group’s growth. With seven operating companies, in 19 locations across the North of England and Southern Scotland today H&H employs over 290 members of staff.
Commenting on this announcement Brian said: “After 10 years as Chief Executive, I feel that this is an appropriate time to hand over the baton to someone new. Since joining, the company has developed considerably, and over the 10 years the net assets of the business have increased by 60% and the share price over 150%.
(Brian Richardson Chief Executive H&H Group)
“The last three years have been exceptionally busy with the acquisition of the John Swan & Son marts at Wooler and Newtown St Boswells, as well as developing the Group’s property assets. A major part of this programme has been the H&H development here at Rosehill in Carlisle, which is due to come on stream and open this Summer.
“I am also very proud of what everyone at H&H and across all of our operating companies has achieved in the last 10 years. The business is in excellent health, and in a position to continue to prosper, develop and withstand the immediate challenges of a slow economy and the longer-term implications of Brexit.
“We have a fantastic team of people at H&H and our success is as a direct result of the way everyone has worked together and I am very confident they will go forward to further grow and develop the business, albeit under a new leader. In the meantime, it is very much business as usual. I still have a lot to do before I hand over the reins later in the year.”
As the Company now embarks on a recruitment process Ian Lancaster, Chairman, commented: “Brian has led the H&H Group professionally and with great drive and enthusiasm over the last 10 years. The business has grown and evolved, and we have a strong financial position. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Brian for his support and to wish him well in the future.
“We will now be embarking on recruiting a replacement to build on our strong position, and care will be taken to make sure we have a good fit for the role of leading one of Cumbria’s principal businesses.”
