A professional services firm has bolstered its team dealing with firms in trouble in Scotland.

The firm has increased its insolvency team for firms as it is “extremely busy helping guide them through these difficult times”.

Begbies Traynor said it has appointed insolvency specialist Kevin Mapstone as a director based at its Edinburgh office.

With over 25 years’ experience in financial services, Mr Mapstone joins from an insolvency firm in Paisley where he spent almost four years as an insolvency practitioner, having previously worked for a number of other firms, including a period as an insolvency manager with Begbies Traynor.

A fully licensed insolvency practitioner, Mr Mapstone has a broad range of experience covering insolvency and debt solutions, assisting both individuals and businesses.

With a strong network of contacts across both Glasgow and Edinburgh, Mr Mapstone will work with the Begbies Traynor team to further build the firm’s reputation in the east of Scotland as a leading provider of personal and corporate insolvency expertise. He will also work across Begbies Traynor’s offices in Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.

Ken Pattullo, regional managing partner for Begbies Traynor in Scotland, and Thomas McKay, partner, said: “With many businesses of all types and sizes still feeling the impact of Covid, followed by the pressure of escalating costs, we have been extremely busy helping guide them through these difficult times. In order to provide the support and expert advice they need, it is important for us to continue to invest in expanding the team and the arrival of a seasoned insolvency practitioner like Kevin will help us to grow our presence across Scotland.”

Mr Mapstone said: “As the market leader in insolvency, joining Begbies Traynor is a fantastic opportunity not only to expand the range and complexity of the cases I undertake, but also to work with some of the most skilled professional advisers in the country. Having worked with the team previously, I am well aware of their technical knowledge and empathy as they help businesses and individuals in financial distress to find their way through the current challenges.”

Begbies Traynor provides independent advice and solutions throughout Scotland across a broad spectrum of areas including corporate and personal insolvency, restructuring, corporate finance, transaction services, forensic services, pensions advisory, capital management, real estate advisory and commercial funding.


Famous Glasgow pub sold by man who helped save Celtic

A Glasgow businessman who helped broker the deal that saved Celtic in the 1990s has sold one of the most famous pubs in the city’s west end.

David Low has offloaded The Arlington Bar, which counts a host of celebrities among its past patrons, to experienced operator Peter Di Ciacca, owner of Riva Restaurants. The deal comes three years after Mr Low, who played a key role in Fergus McCann’s takeover of Celtic in 1994, acquired the pub on Woodlands Road.

The Arlington is one of Glasgow’s oldest pubs, having traded continuously from its site since 1860. Throughout a distinguished history, the pub has been a favoured haunt of students and academics from the neighbouring University of Glasgow, and a hangout for journalists, artists and writers.


Watch as sea trials begin for 'world-first' Scottish-made wing sail ship

Sea trials for a ground-breaking wing sail it is claimed could help revolutionise marine transport have started.

The lightweight, retrofit, recyclable FastRig is built in Glasgow and has been installed on the Pacific Grebe for the trials.

The ship has now docked in Greenock to allow project partners, the Scottish Government, ship owners and financiers the opportunity to see the technology in action.