Begbies Traynor

History

The company was formed as Traynor & Partners in 1989 by Ric Traynor and Andrew Dick. It traded under this name for eight years, growing during this period to cover much of Northern England. In 1997 Traynor took over London-based firm Begbies, founded by George Begbie, and was renamed Begbies Traynor.

The company was floated on the Alternative Investment Market in August 2004, becoming the first insolvency specialist to do so. It was initially intended that this should occur in July 2004, but was put back by a month. At this point the company had 23 offices and 240 employees.

Begbies benefited from the economic downturn caused by the credit crunch in 2008, with business initially increasing. Ric Traynor predicted at the beginning of 2009 that shares would increase in value to around 150p, although Brewin Dolphin stated that 140p was more likely. However, a decline in its tax business saw company profits fall short of predictions despite increased turnover in its insolvency division, and share prices fell below 100p in early 2010. Begbies' business was affected by a reduction in insolvencies following the introduction of increased government support; although profits for the 2009/10 financial year were higher than those for the previous year, they were well below expectations, and share prices fell to a low of 59.5p in June 2010. The company lost its chief financial officer, John Gittins, to a rival firm from August 2010.

In May 2010 Begbies Traynor renegotiated a financing deal with banks HSBC and Yorkshire Bank which increased its credit facility to £30 million. This allowed the company to expand further, announcing the opening of a new office in Reading in early June 2010.

In March 2021, Begbies Traynor decided to purchase David Rubin & Partners for up to £25 million. The upfront sum was £12 million, and cash earn-out payments worth up to £13 million contingent on the purchased business's financial results.

Notable projects

The company have helped to restructure or liquidate a number of notable companies, including:

• Huddersfield Town F.C.
• Tillingbourne Bus Company
• Scarborough F.C.
• Wrexham F.C.
• FM Rail
• Tiger Telematics
• A.F.C. Bournemouth
• Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC
• Northcott Theatre
• Realtime Worlds
• Port Vale F.C.
• Crawley Town F.C.
• Wigan Athletic Football Club

Publications

Begbies Traynor publishes a quarterly "red flag alert" highlighting British companies at risk of significant "financial distress" and the industry sectors most affected by financial pressures. The alerts were first published in 2004. The algorithms underlying Begbies Traynor's analyses were revised in 2023.

References

References

1. (21 June 2007). "Begbies Traynor expands". M.E.N. Media.
2. "Business big shot: Ric Traynor, chief executive of Begbies Traynor - Times Online".
3. link. (2011-07-23 ''Accountancy magazine'')
4. "Begbies Traynor booms in slump - Business - Evening Standard".
5. Dawber, Alistair. (22 January 2009). "Investment Column: Begbies Traynor should be in its element". The Independent.
6. (27 January 2010). "Begbies Traynor tax division declining - Accountancy Age".
7. (7 June 2010). "Fewer insolvencies makes for subdued time at Begbies Traynor". M.E.N. Media.
8. [https://archive.today/20130116120004/http://www.accountancyage.com/accountancyage/news/2264253/begbies-cfo-leave-ncc Begbies CFO to leave for NCC - Accountancy Age]
9. "Begbies Traynor has £30m fund for growth - The Asian News". The Asian News.
10. "Begbies Traynor opens Thames Valley office in Reading - Business Credit News UK".
11. Godfrey, Hannah. (12 March 2021). "Begbies Traynor set for £25m acquisition in biggest deal yet".
12. Quested, Tony. (16 March 2021). "Begbies Traynor raises £22m towards Rubin acquisition".
13. Conn, David. (6 May 2009). "Huddersfield's community stadium dream sours in ownership wrangle". The Guardian.
14. (23 March 2001). "Cranleigh bus company calls in the receivers - News - getsurrey".
15. "When Saturday Comes - Scarborough unfair".
16. "Daily Post North Wales - Sport News - Troubled club 'was in profit'".
17. "Chambers And Partners - Editorial - Restructuring/Insolvency".
18. "The firm that blew it all in two years - Times Online".
19. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article3335291.ece Bournemouth go into administration. Football League - Times Online]{{dead link. (September 2024)
20. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6018444.ece Southampton FC owner falls into administration. Football League - Times Online]{{dead link. (September 2024)
21. "Theatre rescue deal is signed {{!}} This is Exeter".
22. (18 August 2010). "Realtime Worlds games firm collapse costs 185 jobs". BBC News.
23. (9 March 2012). "Port Vale formally enter administration". [[BBC Sport]].
24. (2006-06-05). "Crawley placed in administration".
25. Traynor, Begbies. (2020-07-01). "Wigan Athletic Football Club in administration {{!}} Begbies Traynor - The UK".
26. [[London Stock Exchange]], [https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/BEG/latest-red-flag-alert-report-for-q2-2025/17153659 Latest Red Flag Alert Report for Q2 2025], published on 28 July 2025, accessed on 19 August 2025