Menzies welcomes Gatwick director Paula Bell on board

Airport services and distribution firm John Menzies has hired a former Gatwick director to replace long-serving finance chief Paul Dollman.

Paula Bell will join the Edinburgh-based company as finance director once she has agreed a leaving date with her current employer, Ricardo, a multi-industry consultancy where has been finance chief for more than six years.

Her career to date has included senior positions at AWG, Rolls Royce and airport operator BAA, where she was finance and property director for Gatwick and built up experience in “leading international finance functions as well as business development and acquisition activity”.

Menzies said Bell played an important role in the successful strategic evolution and growth of the business and helped drive strong cost and cash management during her time at Ricardo, which she joined in 2006.

Ricardo’s environmental consultancy arm works with the Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland, and has grown its business north of the Border by 20 per cent in the past year.

Menzies chairman Iain Napier said: “She brings an excellent mix of international finance experience and enthusiasm for the role that will be a real asset to the group.”

Earlier this month, Dollman announced his intention to leave the business after ten years in the job.

Dolman said that his decade in the post was a “defining moment” for him, but that he aims to develop a portfolio career while there was “still a bit of life in the old dog yet”.

He is expected to step down at May’s annual general meeting.