A former policeman who doubles as Kazakhstan's representative in Scotland has netted a multi-million pound fortune after selling his pipeline repair business.
John "Tiny" Langler, honorary consul for the central Asian country that is famed as the homeland of TV and film character Borat, secured the windfall by selling Walker Technical Resources to a new management team.
Langler was appointed as the first honorary consul for Kazakhstan in Scotland in December 2006, when the country was basking in the glow of publicity triggered by Borat. One alter ego of comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat lampooned the country as a land of simpletons.
However, the former Soviet republic was keen to build links with Scotland to tap into expertise that could be used to make the most of its huge oil and gas reserves.
The surge in oil and gas prices earlier in the decade triggered rapid economic growth in Kazakhstan, helping the country become a magnet for western firms.
These include support firms that provide many of the supplies and services needed to operate oil rigs. There is a regular flow of traffic between the Kazakh oil centre, Atyrau, and Aberdeen.
In 2007, Langler flew to New York to encourage tycoon Donald Trump to proceed with his controversial plans to build a golf course on the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.
Langler, whose firm has 30 staff and is based in Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, was out of the country yesterday and unavailable for comment.
Founded by Langler in 1992, Walker provides pipeline repair services to the global oil and gas industry.
The value of the deal was not disclosed but the parties confirmed it was a multi- million pound transaction.
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