Edinburgh-based airport logistics and news distribution company John Menzies — under shareholder pressure to split into two companies — said on Monday that chief financial officer Paula Bell will leave the firm on July 29 to join the board of Spirent Communications as CFO.

Menzies said Giles Wilson will succeed Bell as CFO from July 1.

Wilson has worked at Menzies for five years in a variety of senior roles including finance director of Menzies Aviation.

Most recently he has been based in Dubai as senior vice president of Menzies’ Middle East, India and African regions. 

Prior to joining Menzies, Wilson held a number of senior finance positions in public and private companies, including Gallaher Group and Commercial Estates Group.

Iain Napier, chairman of John Menzies said: “On behalf of the board I would like to thank Paula for her contribution since she joined in 2013.

“She leaves with our best wishes as she embarks on the next stage of her career.

“I am also delighted to welcome Giles to the board.

“He has been part of our succession plans and I am confident that he will make a positive impact in his new role and will further strengthen our capabilities going forward.”

Last month, Menzies announced that corporate dealmaker Paul Baines would join the company as a non-executive director on June 1.

Menzies’ chief executive Jeremy Stafford resigned in January 2016 for personal reasons after 15 months in the job.

Then Forsyth Black was appointed managing director of Menzies Aviation and joined the board, and Mark Cassie was appointed interim managing director of Menzies Distribution.

Menzies has been under pressure to split in two from some shareholders who believe its aviation services and distribution divisions would be worth more as separate businesses.