French Duncan appoints technology specialist as non-executive director

Scottish accountancy and business services firm French Duncan has appointed Simon Crompton as a non-executive director.

The business said Mr Crompton would to “add his considerable experience to the board” having spent over 25 years providing technology solutions to the accountancy profession and building a strong track record in building and growing software solutions businesses.

As a part owner of his first venture, and with the backing of a well-known venture capitalist, Mr Compton helped build the business into one of the leading technology suppliers to the accountancy profession.

After a very successful trade sale to a major competitor, Mr Crompton was retained by the new owners to streamline and grow the newly merged organisation.

This was successfully achieved before the business was then sold on twice more over a period of 8 years.

Each time he was retained to merge the new businesses together and drive growth. Over his period of stewardship, some of the most innovative and successful technology solutions have been introduced into the accountancy profession.

Mr Crompton said: “It is a very exciting time to be joining Top 60 UK practice French Duncan. As a non-exec Director I will have the opportunity to directly input to the development and delivery of their ambitious growth plans in the UK professional services market.

“The practice has an excellent team. They recognise how rapidly the world is changing, and are taking this as their challenge to develop and reposition the firm as a client centric, forward thinking and technology led practice.

“They are successfully demonstrating that ‘disruptive technologies’ can be harnessed to deliver greater client service and if culture and technology are the two great differentiators between the good and the great, then I believe French Duncan are in the perfect position.”

Graeme Finnie, French Duncan managing partner, said: “I am delighted that Simon has agreed to take up the role and very much look forward to working with him in the coming years as we continue to grow French Duncan and augment our position as a forward thinking and customer service focused business.

“We think it is an innovative move to retain a non exec, who in addition to having great managerial experience, actually understands our industry. Perhaps more importantly, Simon understands technology in our sector and the massive change our profession is about to undergo. We are about to see the end of the accountancy profession as we know it and French Duncan is equipping itself to face the huge challenges ahead.”