We are delighted to announce the appointment of Margaret Irving, Group Personnel Manager & Company Secretary, to Trustee of the Group’s Employees’ Trust.
The H&H Employees’ Trust (HHET), was established in December 1973 and holds 20% of the issued share capital of H&H Group Plc. The Trustees are empowered to make payments to employees or former employees who are in need of assistance, either due to hardship or to further their development, as well as making an annual distribution from the fund to employees with 5 plus years’ service.
On taking up this key role with the HHET, Margaret says, “ I have been working with H&H for over 25 years and as part of this role, I have acted as Secretary to the Trust. The HHET, really is there to support our staff and the wider H&H community and I really have been very privileged in my knowledge of the work that they do. That is why it was such an honour to be asked to serve as a trustee of an organisation which is there to support and make a real difference.”
I am sure many people may not know some of the ways in which the Trust has financially helped our community over the years. In addition to the numerous requests to help employees in individual circumstances, the Trust provided hardship payments to those in need during the Foot & Mouth outbreak and to those affected by the two major flood incidents in Carlisle. More recently, our laptop scheme helped parents who had to home-school during the pandemic.”
On making this announcement Dawn Harrison, Non-Executive Director on the Board of H&H Group and Chair of the Employee Trust said; “With Margaret having been a member of the H&H community for such a long time now, and with her formidable knowledge of the Group and of the Trust itself she is the perfect Trustee, and we are certainly looking forward to her input.”
Founded over 150 years ago and employing over 300 members of staff, H&H Group plc is one of Cumbria’s most progressive companies. Operating across the North of England and the Scottish Borders, the Group operates as a holding company, for Harrison & Hetherington Auction Marts, H&H Land & Estates, H&H Auction Rooms, H&H Reeds and H&H Insurance Brokers.
Margaret concludes, “Going forward, as a newly appointed trustee I would like the Trust to be much more visible to everyone within the Group. I want everyone to understand what the Trust does and what it can do. Hopefully my appointment will help with that – by being a more accessible trustee and someone that people feel they can approach with ideas or requests.”