A RURAL estate agency has appointed Herefordshire resident Harry Cotterell as its new chairman.

Mr Cotterell, who lives in Garnons, will take up his role with Fisher German on October 1.

He is a former president of the CLA (Country Land and Business Association) and joined Fisher German as a consultant in February 2014.

Mr Cotterell, who has provided Fisher German with political and public affairs advice for the rural sector and the wider business, takes over from Barry Gamble who was the first non-executive chairman of Fisher German.

Managing partner, Andrew Jackson, said: "We are delighted that Harry has agreed to join us as chairman following his experience at the CLA and with the firm.

"We would also like to thank Barry for all the help and guidance he has given us through our period of unprecedented growth in the last few years."

Mr Cotterell said he is delighted to be taking on the role.

"I have held the firm in high regard for several years and I have greatly enjoyed my consultancy work, which has helped me really understand how the firm operates," he said.

"Fisher German is a highly professional business with creativity, dedication and ambition.

"They deliver to the highest standard both in traditional land and property management as well as in the more technical fields of planning, development, energy and utilities and I look forward to the challenge of chairing them over the coming years."