People

• FirstGroup takes on new director

  ABERDEEN-based bus and rail company FirstGroup has finally filled its finance director vacancy with the recruitment of Chris Surch, who currently holds the same post at waste management group Shanks.

• 
  Starting up in the midst of a recession was a challenge

  IN this week's SME Focus the owners of an IT business that has achieved strong growth amid challenging conditions say ministers could do much more to help small firms access public sector contracts that could provide a real boost to sales.

• How son's bread allergy led his mother to a Genius idea

  When Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne's son Robin was 18-months-old she was confronted with an issue that can be a source of endless heartache for some parents.

• Scots technology firms 'must know true value'

  THE head of software strategy at the United States-based IBM Venture Capital Group is warning Scottish companies not to get too carried away with huge technology business valuations.

• 
  Ex-RBS director to take helm at Aviva

  Shareholder power claimed one of its biggest victims yesterday with the scalp of Andrew Moss, chief executive at £9 billion Aviva, the UK's second biggest insurer and a top 50 company.

• Johnston payout to Highfield revealed

  JOHNSTON Press chief executive Ashley Highfield was paid £115,000, including a £26,000 bonus, for just two months' work last year, the Edinburgh company's annual report revealed.

• New Memsstar chief exec

  MEMSSTAR has appointed a technology and manufacturing specialist as its new chief executive.

• Accountants 'disappointed' at 10% average pay rise

  Accountants' salaries are up by more than 10% – but they are disappointed.