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Carlisle auctioneer acquires James Sutherland & Co

Carlisle-based auctioneers, H&H Group, has added to its portfolio of companies with the acquisition of Newcastle firm, James Sutherland & Co.

The buyer firm started out as a farmstock auctioneers over 140 years ago, and now acts as a holding company, operating eight businesses in Northern England and Southern Scotland.

James Sutherland is the latest addition to its books, and specialises in online sales, valuing and selling machinery, vehicles and stock for insolvency firms.

The purchase was made for an undisclosed sum on Thursday in a bid to extend H&H Group’s digital presence.

Brian Richardson, chief executive of H&H, commented: “The business fits well with our existing auction businesses which include livestock, motor auctions and auction rooms.

“It offers us potential to grow further and fits with our strategy of growing our businesses. In recent years James Sutherland & Co has developed its business to embrace modern technology.

“They have a very strong online presence and are very involved in internet auctions - this is one specific area we are looking to develop across the Group in the future.

“We also see great potential to extend the customer base across to the west of the country.”

James Sutherland became involved in insolvency work in the 1970s to move away from estate agency and private sales and is now a bonded agent for The Official Receiver in Bankruptcy.

Paul Roberts, previous owner of the firm, will stay on as a consultant, along with general manager, Martin Cassidy, who will run the Newcastle office.

Mr Roberts said: “We are a small but successful business, and have recently developed our online auction facility.

“I feel that H&H with their pedigree and experience will provide the opportunity for the business to grow in the future.

“The company will continue to operate from Newcastle with the same team of staff and I will remain involved with the business so for our customers it is very much business as usual.”

H&H Group increased its profits by 23% last year and currently has 280 employees with an excess of 1,000 shareholders.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .