Well-known Northumberland farmer, Michael Scott, is the new chairman of the H and H Group, who takes up his new role on July 1.

Appointed a non executive director to the group board in 2005, Michael has been involved with H and H for most of his life, initially buying and selling Blue-Grey cattle at the company's Newcastleton, and Haltwhistle Auction Marts and, more recently, trading continental cattle at Borderway.

Born and brought up on the family farm at East Coanwood on the Whitfield Estate near Haltwhistle, he moved to farm at Thirlwall Castle in 1963. Today, he lives near Lanercost with his wife Tina.

A board member of the H and H Group for the last 13 years, Mr Scott has an in depth understanding of the organisation, and now semi-retired, he feels that the time is right for him to make the commitment needed to assume the position of chairman.

“It is both an honour and a privilege to be invited to take up this role," he said. "As chairman, my aim is to work with fellow board members to support and help integrate our new CEO into the organisation, and to continue to further develop both our agricultural and commercial enterprises for the benefit of shareholders and all stakeholders.

"On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Brian Richardson who has been our CEO for the last 10 years and to wish him well in the future. During this time the business has evolved and grown considerably.

"Going forward, our aim is to build on our assets and to work with our tremendous teams of staff to take the group forward to the next level and to strengthen our position in the areas of business, and locations, in which we operate.”