CUMBRIAN farmer Steve Pattinson is to join the H&H Group as a Non-Executive Director.

Born and brought up on the family farm at Kinkry Hill, Roadhead, near Carlisle, Steve has been involved with the H&H Group and its livestock trading company Harrison & Hetherington all his life.

A grassroots farmer, Steve and his wife Claire, run a dairy farming enterprise along with their herd of pedigree British Blues. With their son Joe and daughters, Lauren and Kate also helping on the farm, the family recently they saw their bull, Kelowna Pilot sell through Borderway Mart for 9,000gns.

With a heritage built on farming and the wider agriculture industries, today H&H Group is one of Cumbria’s largest and most progressive businesses and it operates as a holding company for several successful companies who work across a wide range of sectors.

Steve said: “I have been involved with the H&H Group for as long as I can remember, and I am delighted to have been asked to join the Board. From a very young age, I used to go to the mart at Botchergate and I can still clearly remember the day when the Borderway Mart opened – I was five years old, and I think it was a Wednesday!

“In looking to the future, there are going to be many ongoing challenges, not least the current rate of inflation, rising farm costs and a reduction in farm payments, all of which are going to have a significant impact. Fortunately, the H&H Group have a fantastic knowledge of the businesses and industries in which they operate. My aim is to support the work of the Board, to ensure that we do everything we can to look after our customers, staff and shareholders alike.

“Having been involved with Borderway Mart for so long, I would also like to highlight its social importance to the rural community as a whole, as well as the contribution it makes to the local economy.”

“We are delighted that Steve has agreed to join the Board as a Non-Executive Director,” says Michael Scott, Chairman of the H&H Group. “Agriculture is at the very heart of what we do and as a working farmer, Steve has in-depth understanding, hands on experience and a great knowledge of the sector. This, along with his business acumen, will be invaluable in helping to take the company forward to the next stage of its development. We are all very much looking forward to working with him.”