CAIRN Energy chief executive Simon Thomson has received 666,854 shares in the group after the vesting of awards.

He subsequently sold 389,051 shares to cover the tax and national insurance liabilities. Mr Thomson subsequently holds 1,009,023 shares, representing 0.173 per cent of the issued capital.

A total of six members of the management team were awarded shares, with all but one – regional director for UK and Norway, Brita Holstad – exercising their right to receive the shares.

Shares in Cairn Energy closed up almost eight per cent to 219.2p, valuing Mr Thomson’s award at £608,944.