Online accounting software service company Xero has appointed Gary Turner as managing director of its UK operation.

Gary Turner is a twenty-year veteran of the UK accounting software industry and leaves Microsoft UK to take up his post with Xero in August.

“Being able to attract a leader such as Gary, who is well respected in the UK market, is vital to our next phase of growth’’ says Xero CEO Rod Drury.

Xero underwent an extensive selection process to find a high caliber individual to execute the next phase of it’s business plan in the UK, which includes leveraging connections with banks and marketing partners such as BT.

Gary Turner is currently with Microsoft UK as Product Group Director responsible for product marketing, presales and partner readiness for fast growing Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM product families.

He was formerly the Managing Director of Pegasus Software, a small business accounting software vendor.

Gary Turner is a senior software industry advisor and currently advises the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales on technology matters relating to its members.

The 40-year-old Scotsman will replace Xero co-founder Hamish Edwards who returns to New Zealand to help drive Xero’s global accounting partnerships.