Beattie Communications has hired Iain Duffin as non-executive chairman of the group at the expense of client Macfarlane Packaging, due to a “potential conflict of interest”.
In May this year, Duffin abruptly left Macfarlane, where he held the position of chief executive, prior to the company announcing what they described as “unacceptable” half-yearly results.
Duffin is currently chairman of Origo Services Limited and a non-executive director of Stagecoach. He spent four years as chief executive of Macfarlane. Prior to joining the packaging company, he was senior vice-president of Lucas Varity, a multi-billion pound business headquartered in London. Gordon Beattie, founder and chief executive of the business, said: “Global and pan-European clients are becoming increasingly important to Beattie Communications. Iain’s extensive international business experience will be extremely valuable to us as we grow our partner network around the world.”
Speaking of Macfarlane’s decision to sever its PR contract, which is reported to be worth £48,000 a year, Beattie said he was “surprised and disappointed”, as he claimed Duffin had received a letter from Macfarlane’s lawyers earlier this year assuring him the company was comfortable with him taking on the role at Beattie Communications.