The Dick Harrison Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Wallace as a Trustee, bringing with him extensive rural professional experience and a personal understanding of the Trust's impact.

Born and raised on an upland farm on the Northumberland and Cumbria border, Matthew developed a strong interest in agriculture and rural land management from an early age. In 2010 and 2011, he was fortunate to receive support from the Dick Harrison Trust, which helped him to pursue his studies and develop his career within the rural sector.

Matthew studied Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University, graduating in 2014. He went on to qualify with both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), beginning his career as a Rural Chartered Surveyor.

He worked in land agency and professional practice with H&H Land & Estates, before moving to YoungsRPS. In 2023, Matthew joined HSBC UK as an Agricultural Relationship Manager for North East England, where he works closely with farming and rural businesses across all sectors supporting their banking requirements.

Having benefited from the Trust during his studies, Matthew's appointment marks a significant full-circle.

Commenting on his new role, Matthew said, "What the Trust provided at that stage in my life made a real difference. It eased the financial pressure and gave me the confidence to focus on building my career.

"I'm grateful for what I received, and I'm keen to play my part in making sure others coming into the industry are given the same chance to progress."

The Dick Harrison Trust was founded in 1988 in memory of the much-admired auctioneer Dick Harrison, former Managing Director of Harrison & Hetherington Ltd, Carlisle. The Trust was established to commemorate Dick's life and outstanding service to the profession, and to support students pursuing careers in livestock auctioneering and rural land management, particularly those with links to Cumbria, Northumberland, and Scotland.

Chairman of the Dick Harrison Trust, Robert Addison welcomed the appointment, saying, "Matthew brings valuable professional insight, but just as importantly he understands what timely assistance can mean to someone starting out. The Trust is about creating opportunity and helping individuals move forward in the rural sector. Matthew's own journey reflects exactly why that work matters."

Matthew's blend of sector experience and personal perspective will strengthen the Trust as it continues creating opportunity within the rural community.