Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Nick Utting - A True Champion of Farming and Education
23rd January 2026
Nick Utting was a man whose warmth, integrity, and quiet dedication touched countless lives across Cumbria and the wider rural community. Respected, trusted, and deeply valued, he leaves behind a legacy built on service, kindness, and an unwavering belief in people.
Nick’s good humour, genuine compassion, and love of the countryside made him one of the region’s most cherished figures. He had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel valued, whether they were 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 was invited to play a central role in establishing what would become the Dick Harrison Trust. Founded in 1988 to commemorate Dick’s life and service as Managing Director of Harrison and Hetherington Ltd in Carlisle, the Trust was created 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 established and is sustained by donations from the Harrison family, livestock auction marts, agri-businesses, and individual farmers across the region. Nick embraced this collective spirit wholeheartedly. With characteristic positivity and determination, he helped transform goodwill into a lasting source of opportunity for young people.
In 1989, Nick was elected Chairman, working alongside Secretary Robert Addison and a highly motivated committee. With patience, skill, and unwavering commitment, he guided the Trust through its formal incorporation and early development. He brought together farmers, auctioneers, butchers, and land agents, uniting them around a shared belief in nurturing future generations.
The first applications to the Trust were received in 1990, and modest awards were made. Nick soon recognised that paperwork alone could never capture a person’s potential. Believing strongly in personal connection, he introduced face-to-face interviews with applicants. His calm, authoritative, and relaxed manner quickly put young people at ease, allowing them to speak openly about their ambitions. For many, these meetings became defining moments in their lives.
Under Nick’s leadership, the Trust flourished. Over the years, more than 120 awards were made, awarding over £52,000. To Nick, however, success was never measured in numbers. What mattered most were the opportunities created, the confidence built, and the futures shaped.
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, at just 22, became Senior Group Secretary for Carlisle and Wigton. He held this role with distinction for nearly forty years.
Even as illness affected him in later life, he remained fully committed to the Trust, chairing it in his own personable and efficient way until his passing in July 2025. His dedication never wavered, and his enthusiasm for the Trust’s work remained undiminished.
Beyond the Dick Harrison Trust, Nick contributed tirelessly to the wider rural community. He chaired Farmers Charity Auctions and Life Education Cumbria, served for decades as secretary of agricultural shows, and supported organisations including The Cumbria Society and the Blamire Memorial Trust. He also gave his time generously to Young Farmers and Rotary, always ready to help good causes and good people.
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 he was rightly 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 Dawn Harrison (Dick’s daughter), Edward Williamson and Harriet Scanlon (Dick’s grandchildren), along with former beneficiaries and land agents Martin Hall and Charles Raine. Their commitment reflects the strong foundations Nick helped to build and ensures that his vision continues.
Following Nick’s passing, the Trustees unanimously elected Robert Addison as Chair. A former Secretary of the Trust who has served since its creation, Robert brings with him deep knowledge, continuity, and a strong personal commitment to the Trust’s values. On his appointment, Robert said that he was honoured and delighted to take on the role and looked forward to continuing the Trust’s work in supporting those training as auctioneers and land agents.