Barclays adds to debt team

Barclays adds to debt team

BARCLAYS Corporate Banking has appointed accountant Peter Thomson to its debt finance team in Edinburgh.

Mr Thomson, who joins from PricewaterhouseCoopers, brings to the bank experience of several of Barclays' core sectors, including retail, manufacturing and property.

In his new role he will be involved in structuring and delivering financing transactions for existing and prospective clients who require access to credit.

Mr Thomson will work closely with new head of business development Alan Maudsley as Barclays looks to grow its market share among medium to large companies.

Kenny Hughes, head of debt Finance for Barclays Corporate Banking in Scotland, said: "Peter brings with him a wealth of experience in transactions management and therefore has a strong understanding of the issues and challenges our business and clients face. His expertise will be essential to Barclays as we work with new and existing clients to provide the appropriate debt solutions to fund ongoing operations and M&A (mergers and acquisitions) activity in corporate Scotland."

Haywood for Scotland

UK-wide law firm DWF has appointed Brent Haywood as executive partner for Scotland.

Mr Haywood, a litigation partner based in Edinburgh, will be responsible for leading DWF in Scotland. He will champion the firm's values and co-ordinate its operations to enhance the service it provides to clients.

Mr Haywood has over 20 years' experience and has been a key partner at both Biggart Baillie and DWF Biggart Baillie. He said: "The executive partner role is fundamental in supporting the firm's continued growth and it's great to be given this new opportunity. As part of my role I will be working with our people to see how we can continue to develop DWF in Scotland moving forward."

Mr Haywood's comes after Alasdair Peacock, its previous executive partner for Scotland, was appointed head of corporate and banking across the UK.

O'Neill joins Energylinx

ENERGYLINX for business, the energy comparison service for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has appointed Tom O'Neill as its new managing director.

Mr O'Neill, who qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG, is a former group financial controller at Kelvin Homes. He since performed a similar role at the Celtic FC Foundation, the umbrella for the football club's community work.

After 15 years at Celtic, he founded O'Neill Consultancy Solutions Ltd in June last year to offer financial expertise to owner-managed businesses and SMEs. It was in this role he came to the attention of Energylinx for business.

Mr O'Neill said: "I'm thrilled to be involved in such an innovative and ground-breaking business venture. I greatly look forward to helping to guide the launch of Energylinx for business, and strongly believe that the sky is the limit for this new service."

Martin for Cornerstone

CORNERSTONE, the Scottish social care charity, has appointed Mairi Martin as its new director of human resources and learning and development.

Ms Martin is a former executive director for resources at Irvine Housing Association and the Riverside Group. Although she will be based at Cornerstone's Glasgow office, Ms Martin will be responsible for supporting and developing the charity's team across Scotland, including Dundee and the north east.

The Cornerstone team includes 1700 employees and 300 volunteers.

Ms Martin said: "My aim is to build on the existing good HR practices focusing on improving employee engagement, growing talent in the organisation and making Cornerstone one of the best places to work in Scotland."

Cornerstone chief executive Edel Harris: "We are pleased to welcome Mairi to the Cornerstone team and believe her experience will prove a real asset in developing our workforce."