Turnaround veterans join Beattie-WJM tie-up helping firms overcome coronavirus impact

A top corporate dealmaker and a former airline boss have joined the Beattie Communications and Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie (WJM) tie-up that seeks to help companies fight the devastating commercial impact of coronavirus.

Gordon Beattie said the duo 'bring much to our repertoire'. Picture: contributed.

Frank Blin, the former executive chairman of PwC in Scotland and UK head of regions, and former EasyJet director Paul Simmons have come on board to help companies address the challenges they currently face. The pair are described as having an “impressive” track record of turning around failing businesses.

Serial investor Blin said: “I’m keen to play my part in stopping companies going bust. Mergers, restructures and refinancing are among the strategies we’ll use to save jobs and businesses in Scotland and across the UK.”

Simmons said: “Turnarounds are my specialism and I look forward to lending my skills to assist businesses that may be teetering on the brink.”

Welcoming the pair into the consortium, Beattie founder Gordon Beattie said: “We could not have found more experienced or accomplished partners than Frank and Paul. They bring much to our repertoire so it’s great to have them on board.”

The consortium is currently working with companies in the health, entertainment, hospitality, retail and building sectors.

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie offer targeted business consultancy across multiple commercial areas including employment, tax, insolvency, restructuring, and acquisitions and disposals. The firm has five offices in Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. Scottish-founded Beattie has 16 offices in Britain, Ireland and Canada including London, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Belfast and Toronto.

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