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.

Senior move at GVA James Barr

SCOTTISH property consultancy GVA James Barr has appointed Ken McCormack as senior director of its Glasgow team.

Mr McCormack joined the company following GVA's acquisition of James Barr in 2013.

The promotion follows his recent appointment as the first Scottish president of the Rating Surveyors Association in its 105-year history.

Mr McCormack said: "I am delighted to be offered this new position in what has been a significant year for me. I am looking forward to working with the other senior directors in the business to deliver a successful business plan and also working closely with my colleagues in the business rates unit to deliver a strong order book for the next revaluation in 2017."

GVA James Barr chairman Eric Forgie said: "This senior director appointment denotes our next step in investing in our business at a higher strategic level.

"By advancing Ken and the sector and clients he represents, we're backing a service that we believe is set to grow exponentially in line with the market and our own business plan. Ken joins three other senior director appointments throughout the wider GVA business."

KPMG boosts team

ACCOUNTANCY firm KPMG has boosted its Scottish team with a range of appointments, saying its total number of staff now exceeds 800 for the first time.

Moray Barber is to join its Aberdeen office as a partner, working with Martin Findlay who is head of tax in the city.

David Vallery has been promoted to partner in the financial services advisory practice, working with organisations to manage their risk and regulatory controls.

Adding to the tax team at the firm's Glasgow office as associate partner is Sandra Gilchrist, who will operate across Scotland.

KPMG also announced three promotions to director. These comprise Emily Young in its Aberdeen office, John Waterson in the central belt audit team, and Craig Hamilton in Edinburgh.

Mayne woman for law firm

COMMERCIAL law firm McClure Naismith has named Barbara Mayne, formerly of DLA Piper, as an associate in its real estate practice.

Ms Mayne has advised on recent deals including the acquisition of Marketgait Business Centre in Dundee for Murphy Young Business Centres, and the purchase of Learndirect's Scottish property portfolio.

In her new role she joins the 17-strong Scottish real estate team led by David Thomson, and the company said her experience includes advising various clients "on the full range of commercial property issues arising from leasing, investment, development, acquisitions, and disposals".

McClure Naismith's executive chairman Robin Shannan said: "We are delighted that Barbara has chosen to join McClure Naismith and further develop her career in our expanding real estate practice."