People: Business rescue role for Dickson at Begbies

Published on Friday 27 November 2009 19:45

BANKER Alistair Dickson has been signed up as the latest recruit to Begbies Traynor, the self-styled "business rescue, recovery and restructuring specialist".

Dickson, who joins a "growing Scottish team" at the firm, will take some 12 years of SME banking experience to his new role.

The chartered accountant joins Begbies from Clydesdale Bank parent National Australia Group (Europe).

Offering a few timely words, Dickson says of his appointment: "I wanted a new challenge and joining a very active and growing restructuring specialist gives me a great opportunity to bring my experience as a banker and accountant to advising businesses that are facing difficult trading."

Ken Pattullo, who heads Begbies' expanding Scottish operation, adds: "To have recruited a specialist banking adviser is a great step forward for us and will enable us to support lenders and businesses alike."

Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (Swip) has strengthened its global bonds team with the appointment of James Taylor as investment director, government bonds.

He may share his name with the American singer-songwriter behind such hits as Fire and Rain and You've Got a Friend, but for this Taylor, managing a selection of global government bond portfolios will be the order of the day – no less creative a role, we're sure.

Taylor, who will report to Graeme Caughey, Swip's head of government bonds, joins the investment firm from Gulf International Bank UK, where he headed the fixed income portfolios arm. Prior to that, he spent nine years in Morley Fund Management's fixed income team.

Caughey says of the new man: "As we continue to develop our global bonds business, it is key we have the right skills and capabilities. James brings with him over 29 years' experience in fixed income markets and will be a valuable addition to the team."

Taylor says: "I am excited about joining an experienced team that has the vision and management capabilities to support our clients and build for the future."

Green's 7,500 desert trek

GOOD to hear that Roger Green, above, head of commercial cleaning outfit Spotless, has made it back safely from his Sahara trek.

In doing so, the chief executive has raised more than 7,500 for the Parkinson's Disease Society, beating the target of 6,000.

Green, who endured temperatures that peaked at 30C by day, plummeting to -5C by night, says: "I had an excellent experience in the desert. It is a surprisingly spiritual and emotional place.

"Thirty strangers of every age, shape and background became firm friends after a week of collective battling against a painfully uncompromising and harsh environment."

GOOD DAY

Scott Simpson and Graham Gray

SIMPSON and Gray are celebrating after becoming shareholding directors of Capture Imaging Solutions, the Aberdeen-based document management and photocopier company. Described as "loyal members of staff", the pair join founding directors Colin Yule and Robbie Cheyne to help "lead the business to further success".

BAD DAY

Alistair Darling

YET another bad day for the beleaguered Chancellor, who will say in next month's Pre-Budget Report that the economy performed worse in 2009 than he predicted, according to Treasury sources yesterday. Darling is expected to say GDP shrank by 4.75 per cent this year – much higher than the 3.5 per cent forecast in March's Budget.