Cairns makes French Duncan switch

MID-tier accountancy practice French Duncan has appointed John Cairns, former tax director at BDO, as a tax partner based in its Glasgow office.

Mr Cairns brings to the firm extensive experience advising owner-managed businesses and their owners on a wide range of tax matters.

These include acquisitions and sales, reorganisations, share valuations, succession planning, share schemes, tax efficient investments and inheritance tax planning.

After periods with two international accountancy firms, Cairns joined Scott-Moncrieff, initially as tax manager and then as tax partner. He joined BDO as head of tax in Scotland in 2006.

Mr Cairns said: ??I??m delighted to join French Duncan??s tax team in Glasgow and look forward to working alongside my colleagues to help our clients meet all their tax compliance obligations in these challenging times and equally addressing opportunities to claim the maximum amount of tax relief available in accordance with the tax legislation.??

Tapenden is glass act

GLENCAIRN Crystal has recruited Philip Tapenden as its new operations manager.

Mr Tapenden, who will be based at the company??s East Kilbride base, is a former aerospace industry manager.

Managing director Paul Davidson said: ??Philip??s appointment is the latest step in a strategic vision to ensure the continued growth, expansion and development of Glencairn in the global market place.

??His experience in production, quality control, logistics and design will be a huge asset to Glencairn as we progress through to the next stage in developing the company to its full potential.??

Mr Tapenden said: ??I came from an aerospace company and I am confident that this is a great opportunity to take the skills and experience that I learned in a different industry and apply it to the crystal industry.??

??It??s also a fantastic opportunity to join Glencairn Crystal at a very exciting time for the company.??

Key hire for Payfont

PAYFONT, the cybersecurity firm recently valued at £20 million following a fundraising round, has made its first key management appointment.

Michael Merriman has joined from BT as head of programme delivery and culture.

Mr Merriman arrives with a track record of delivering complex transformations for large-scale customers, and a reputation for building and motivating high performing teams.

Payfont Chief Executive David Lanc said: ??Mike brings vast experience and the right drive to help us deliver our state of the art security solutions over the coming months.

??This key hire is great for us and will help optimise the returns from our successful investment round and UK innovation award.??

Payfont has engaged a global head-hunter to help hire a chief technology officer to lead its software development, and is in the process of locating new headquarters to house its software development capability with further announcements in the New Year.

RMD strengthens team

DATA centre specialist RMD Power and Cooling has bolstered its management team with two senior promotions.

Barry Ferguson is the firm??s new sales and marketing manager and Ross Barclay takes on the role of service manager. They are the first senior appointments at the Alloa-based company since Gavin Maxwell took over as managing director in 2012.

Mr Ferguson, who has been with for RMD for 13 years, has worked his way up through the ranks and most recently held responsibility for technical sales.

Mr Barclay, who until his promotion worked directly with clients as an engineer, is now responsible for managing and coordinating all engineering and maintenance jobs, ensuring clients are responded to promptly and efficiently.

RMD managing director Gavin Maxwell said: ??Ross and Barry have been valued colleagues for many years and their input will be incredibly important as we go for growth in 2015.??