A BOOK about a livestock entrepreneur is going on sale to help raise funds for charity.

A Short History Book On The Great Livestock Salesmen: John Swan & Sons is being published by Harrison & Hetherington Publishes, with all profits being donated to charitable organisation The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI).

It has been written by Andrew Humphries, MBE, and celebrates the life of a man who was known as ‘the great livestock salesman’.

With the backdrop of a changing Britain in the throes of the industrial revolution during the 19th century, this short history recounts the tale of John Swan, a livestock industry pioneer. Thanks to his entrepreneurial spirit, with support from his wife and sons, he contributed to the modern auction mart as it is known today.

Richard Rankin, chief executive of the H&H Group, 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 came from the purchase in 2016 of John Swan & Sons PLC, adding to its portfolio of seven livestock marts in Cumbria, the Borders and County Durham. The acquisition united two well-respected livestock marketing businesses that both have heritages stretching back more than a century.

Scott Donaldson, joint managing director of Harrison & Hetherington, said: “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."

All proceeds of the book will go to RSABI, founded in 1897, which continues to support people in Scottish agriculture.

The book is available for £5 via email from Alison Agnew at alison.agnew@hhgroupplc.co.uk.