Jason White set for some globe-trotting work

Former Scottish rugby captain Jason White has renewed his old partnership with energy consultancy Xodus Group, this time on a more formal footing.

Jason White is joining Xodus on a more formal footing. Picture: Ian Rutherford

As a business performance coach initially based in Edinburgh, White will tour the firm’s UK offices and then plans to visit Xodus’ global offices to meet as many staff as possible and understand how every part of the company works. He will be demonstrating the importance of teamwork, as well as getting up to speed on the energy industry.

White was introduced to Xodus boss Colin Manson six years ago, and became a sporting ambassador for the company.

Last year he helped coach the Dubai-based veterans rugby team Xodus Steelers, which is made up of former professionals. He will be involved again this year, but is now old enough to qualify in a playing role.

PHP Lettings, the property services company with an “ethical” bent, has enlisted Gulf War veteran and chartered surveyor St John Barton as its first Edinburgh franchisee. The company has bases in Inverness and Elgin and is expanding south.

Barton, 43, served in the first Gulf War with the Corps of Royal Engineers – popularly known as the Sappers. He joins PHP from a senior position at the Valuation Office Agency, the arm of HM Revenue & Customs which provides valuation and property advice to the UK government.

Aberdeen-based subsea specialist Rovop has lured accountant Alan Shanks to be its finance chief. He joins the company’s board having previously been financial director for one of Rovop’s peers, Harkand ISS. Before than he worked in senior posts at accountants Hall Morrice and Ernst & Young.