Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Nick Utting – "A True Champion of Farming and Education"

The Dick Harrison Trust was established in 1988 to commemorate the life of Mr Dick Harrison, former Managing Director of Harrison & Hetherington Ltd, Carlisle. The aim of the Trust was to provide support for students intending to pursue careers in livestock auctioneering and rural land management.

Following Dick Harrison's passing, Mr Nick Utting, who sadly passed away last year, was elected to chair the Trust and, with the support of a highly motivated committee, the Trust was formally incorporated in 1989, with Nick as Chairman and Robert Addison as Secretary.

Nick Utting was a man whose warmth, integrity and quiet dedication touched countless lives across Cumbria and the wider rural community. Respected and trusted by all who knew him, he leaves behind a legacy built on service, kindness and an unwavering belief in people.

Nick had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel valued, whether lifelong farmers, young students starting their journeys, or colleagues seeking guidance. His influence lives on not only through the organisations he helped shape, but through the many individuals he encouraged and supported.

Following the passing of the much-admired auctioneer Dick Harrison, Nick played a central role in establishing what would become the Dick Harrison Trust, founded in 1988 to support students pursuing careers in livestock auctioneering and rural land management, particularly those connected to Cumbria, Northumberland and Scotland.

From the outset, the Trust was sustained by donations from the Harrison family, livestock auction marts, agri-businesses and individual farmers. Nick embraced this collective spirit wholeheartedly, helping transform goodwill into a lasting source of opportunity for young people.

With patience and unwavering commitment, Nick guided the Trust through its early development, bringing together farmers, auctioneers, butchers and land agents around a shared belief in supporting future generations.

The first applications were received in 1990, and while modest awards were made initially, Nick believed that paperwork alone could never reflect a person's potential. He therefore introduced face-to-face interviews, using his calm, relaxed and authoritative manner to put young applicants at ease. For many, these meetings became defining moments.

Under Nick's leadership, the Trust flourished, awarding over £52,000 to more than 120 recipients. For Nick, however, success was never measured in numbers, but in the opportunities created and the futures shaped. Even as illness affected him later in life, Nick remained fully committed to the Trust, chairing it in his own personable and efficient way until his passing in July 2025.

Before his work with the Trust, Nick had already given decades of service to agriculture. Originally from Norwich, he joined the NFU in 1969 and became Senior Group Secretary for Carlisle and Wigton at just 22, a role he held with distinction for nearly forty years. Beyond the Dick Harrison Trust, Nick contributed tirelessly to rural life, chairing Farmers Charity Auctions and Life Education Cumbria, serving agricultural shows for decades, and supporting organisations including The Cumbria Society and the Blamire Memorial Trust. He also gave his time generously to Young Farmers and Rotary.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution, Nick was awarded an MBE in 2000, the Fellowship of the Royal Agricultural Societies, and the Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary. While proud of these honours, those who knew him understood that his greatest satisfaction came from seeing others succeed.

Today, the Dick Harrison Trust continues its work through a dedicated committee including Robert Addison (Chair), Dawn Harrison, Edward Williamson, Harriet Scanlon, and former beneficiaries Martin Hall and Charles Raine, ensuring that the values and vision Nick championed continue for future generations.