HARRISON & Hetherington, livestock auctioneers and valuers since 1890, have published a piece of auctioneering history.

The book on livestock entrepreneur John Swan celebrates the life of a man who was known as ‘the great livestock salesman’.

Written by Andrew Humphries, all profits will be donated to charitable organisation RSABI.

John Swan is described as a ‘livestock industry pioneer’, who thanks to his embracing of change and his entrepreneurial spirit, he contributed to the modern auction mart known today.

Published by the Group’s printing division, H&H Reeds, the book is available for £5 at all Harrison & Hetherington Auction marts located throughout Cumbria, the North East and Southern Scotland and via email from Alison Agnew – alison.agnew@hhgroupplc.co.uk

Richard Rankin, Chief Executive of the H&H Group of Companies said: “This account of John Swan & Sons describes how one of the companies that has become part of the H&H family sensed the direction of change and what key skills would be required for success. It is a celebration of a family partnership of rare quality, and what it did to transform our food supply and enrich our rural communities.”

H&H Group’s link to John Swan comes from the purchase in 2016 of John Swan & Sons PLC to create the UK’s largest livestock marts business.

Scott Donaldson, Joint Managing Director of Harrison & Hetherington added: “I am thrilled to see all the hard work that went into this book now in print and highlighting the history of the livestock auction mart we operate today. Thanks to John Swan and his family, that spirit lives on, which is quite a legacy to behold.”