JOHN Menzies has appointed one of its long-serving staff members to be managing director of its distribution arm.

Forsyth Black is currently senior vice president of Africa, Middle East and India in the company's aviation division but did spend time in distribution earlier in his 14-year stint with the business.

Mr Black, who takes the role from June 1, will join the senior executive team but not the Plc board.

He replaces David McIntosh, who in January come to a mutual agreement to leave to pursue other interests after 25 years with Edinburgh-based Menzies.

Separately, Silla Maizey, the former managing director of London Gatwick and a British Airways executive, is joining the board as a non-executive director next month.