New partners strengthen Begbies Traynor Group team in Scotland

Mr McKay joined Begbies Traynor in 2005 and has significant experience in the insolvency, advisory and restructuring sector. He has acted in borrower lead and national mainstream bank engagements, providing turnaround and strategic advice in a vast amount of both solvent and insolvent capacities.

He has also undertaken secondments in the UK for Clydesdale Bank and National Australia Bank UK CRE, providing specific advice on property, dispute resolution and debt advisory services in Scotland and England.

Mr McKay’s expertise includes undertaking all forms of enforced insolvency engagements, refinancing reviews, solvent property workouts and helping to deliver full strategic option reviews in a consensual manner. His main specialisms are in property, retail, construction and the licensed trade sectors. Thomas is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland, having trained with the firm since he was an Accountancy graduate.

Simon Watson joined the firm last year as director. He has been working with the team to provide specialist advice to property clients throughout Scotland needing help with their funding strategy, developing a debt advisory service aimed at solvent/performing property businesses which are seeking to refinance.

A trained Chartered Accountant, after qualification Simon worked in audit for a Big Four firm including spending time in London and San Jose.

He completed a full time MBA in 2003, specialising in strategy, and ran a property development business in Glasgow for several years before moving into banking, working for Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank and National Australia Bank.

Mr Watson worked in the distressed property space for six years, leading the forced exit teams in both Scotland and London for Clydesdale Bank/National Australia Bank as well as consensual run out teams.

During this time he gained significant exposure to the property sector and, in particular, experience of the challenges clients face when presenting a proposition to existing and new lenders.

Ken Pattullo, managing partner, said: “As businesses continue to face challenges, it is vital that we invest in increasing the strength and depth of our team to ensure companies have access to the expert support they need. Both Thomas and Simon have strong track records of working with businesses and these promotions are recognition of the significant contribution they have made to our success and also demonstrate our ongoing commitment to building our specialist teams here in Scotland.”

Thomas McKay said: “Having worked for Begbies Traynor for over 10 years, I am delighted to be made a partner. It is rewarding that my fellow partners have acknowledged my efforts within the business and I look forward to contributing to its future success.”

Simon Watson added: “Since joining the firm, I have been impressed with the quality of the staff and the service they provide and I am very pleased to have been invited to join the senior management team in Scotland. Begbies Traynor has recognised that a wider offering in the restructuring/recovery space is essential in order to offer businesses the advice they need and I look forward to working closely with the team as we further develop the debt advisory practice.”