Engineering company Weir Group has appointed a senior accountant from Ernst & Young as its finance director. Jon Stanton, a partner at the Big Four firm's London office, will take up his role at the Glasgow-based company in spring after he has completed existing client work. He will step into the role left vacant by Keith Cochrane, who became chief executive late last year. Stanton, 42, has worked at E&Y since 1988. He has been a partner in the London office since 2001 with lead responsibility for the audit of a number of FTSE 100 international clients, including Invensys, Hanson and InterContinental Hotels. Stanton also has long corporate finance experience, including mergers and acquisitions and has been involved in several restructuring and business process improvement projects. In addition, he has extensive international experience, including two years based in E&Y's Detroit office. Cochrane said: 'I am delighted to welcome Jon to the board where his financial skills, extensive background in relevant sectors and international experience will be of great benefit to the group and its continued development.'