Latest news with #Rowatt
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Families who lost life savings to a Covid con man say they will never get money back
Jamie Rowatt's firm KR Construction took between £9k and £11k from families before pulling out of the sale of five homes and failed to return their cash. A construction boss, who took Renfrewshire families' life savings before pulling out of the sale of several homes, has been banned from running companies for 11 years. A probe found Jamie Rowatt - who was registered as a director of several companies on Companies House – had abused the Covid bounce back loan scheme aimed to help businesses through the pandemic. The Insolvency Service said the 46-year-old, who splits his time between North Lanarkshire and Spain, claimed one of his companies, KR Clyde Valley's turnover was a whopping £1 million when it was actually zero. The ban comes years after families told the Paisley Daily Express they had handed over between £7k and £9k each for fixtures and fittings in Neilston homes he later backed out of selling; claiming the money could not be returned immediately due to financial difficulties. Speaking after a judgement last week, Neil North, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said Rowatt showed a complete 'disregard' for the significant responsibilities that come with being the director of a company. He told our sister paper, The Daily Record: 'Jamie Rowatt secured a maximum-value £50,000 Bounce Back Loan for KR Clyde Valley Ltd by falsely claiming an estimated annual turnover of £1 million. In reality, the company was dormant and had no turnover. 'Within days of receiving the funds, £35,000 was transferred to a shareholder, £4,000 to Rowatt himself, and later £4,400 to a connected company – none of which were for the economic benefit of the business as required under the terms of the scheme. 'The position of company director carries significant responsibilities that must be taken seriously. Rowatt's conduct disregarded these obligations which is why he is banned from directing any company until June 2036.' The news has outraged Tom Farmer, who handed over £11.5k to secure a home for him and his children at Rowatt's development on Broadlies Road. He was told in 2021 that KR Construction was pulling the missives in the sale of the three-bedroom property if he did not agree to pay £40,000 on top of his agreed asking price of £220,000. He and the other prospective buyers did not proceed at the inflated price but were told their previous payments would only be refunded once the houses were sold. Four years later all of the houses appear to be sold. However neither Tom, or fellow buyer, mum Julie Nicol, have received their money, nor have they heard from Rowatt and company representatives. Tom said he wasn't surprised to learn Rowatt had received a ban. He told the Paisley Daily Express: 'Two months ago I had a sheriff's officer serve a writ on Jamie Rowatt and it was delivered. He had 21 days to respond but didn't it. 'I am really frustrated now because if I am to pursue this any further it would be at my own financial risk. I would have to pay legal fees and potentially have no possibility of receiving any of the cash. 'I feel its really important to stress that the legal system in this country is not set up to support people like myself and the other families. 'We are out of tens of thousands of pounds and we would need to spend more and put ourselves more financial pressure in order to get it back; it's just not right and that fundamentally needs changed.' He added: 'I am in a group chat with the other buyers and I think we have all come to accept that we will never get anything back. We are trying the best we can to move on with our lives.' A recent civil court judgement, published in March this year, also stated that Rowatt and his wife Laura, who split their time between Airdrie and Spain, must pay out £270,000 to two business partners they had struck up a friendship with. KR Construction did not respond to a request for comment. In February 2023 it had told the Express rising interest rates, the pandemic and rising costs for materials meant it was 'not in a good financial position', but would seek to repay clients on completion of the project and each house sale.
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Covid conman lied about £1m company to get his hands on £50K government cash
A probe found Jamie Rowatt abused the Covid bounce back loan scheme aimed to help businesses through the pandemic. A construction boss who lied about having a £1million firm to bag a £50k government covid loan has been banned from running companies for 11 years. A probe found Jamie Rowatt - whose other company left families tens of thousands out of pocket after pulling out of the sale of several homes - had abused the Covid bounce back loan scheme aimed to help businesses through the pandemic. The Insolvency Service said the 46-year-old, who splits his time between North Lanarkshire and Spain, claimed KR Clyde Valley's turnover was a whopping £1,000,000 when it was actually zero. The Coatbridge firm, which is now in liquidation, then transferred more than £40,000 in three payments - to a shareholder, Rowatt and a connected company. The ban comes just three months after the businessman, who has been linked to dozens of firms on Companies House, was ordered by a court to pay former business partners £270,000 for breaching the terms on an investment deal. Neil North, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 'Jamie Rowatt secured a maximum-value £50,000 Bounce Back Loan for KR Clyde Valley Ltd by falsely claiming an estimated annual turnover of £1 million. In reality, the company was dormant and had no turnover. 'Within days of receiving the funds, £35,000 was transferred to a shareholder, £4,000 to Rowatt himself, and later £4,400 to a connected company - none of which were for the economic benefit of the business as required under the terms of the scheme. 'The position of company director carries significant responsibilities that must be taken seriously. 'Rowatt's conduct disregarded these obligations which is why he is banned from directing any company until June 2036.' In March, our sister paper the Paisley Daily Express revealed how families owed tens of thousands of pounds from another of Rowatt's firms had still not received their money almost four years after it pulled out of the sale of five homes. KR Construction pulled the missives from the potential buyers of its Broadlie Road homes in Neilston in 2022. Having paid a deposit of £2,000 each and in the region of £7,000 to £9,000 for kitchens and fixtures, each household was told their cash would not be returned until the homes were sold due to financial difficulties. Alternatively, they could continue with a purchase for each home but pay an additional £40,000 which they did not agree to. Dad-of-two Tom Farmer, who handed over £11,5000 to secure a home for him and his children, said he desperately needed the money back. Mum Julie Nicol told in 2023 how she handed over a total of £9,000 in 2021. After a series of delays she, like Tom, was told the sale would not proceed at her agreed £220,000 price. Four years later she had also not received any of her money back. In February 2023, the firm had stated that rising interest rates, the pandemic and rising costs for materials meant it was 'not in a good financial position' but would seek to repay clients on completion of the project and each house sale. Mr Farmer said he was pursuing legal action against KR Construction, a sister firm of parent company Kingston Residential Investments Ltd which, according to Companies House, was also directed by Rowatt and is now in administration. A recent civil court judgement, published in March this year, also stated that Rowatt and his wife Laura, who split their time between Airdrie and Spain, must pay out £270,000 to two business partners they had struck up a friendship with. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A judge found the Rowatts and their firm Kingston Residential Investments Ltd had breached a contract that would see the couple receive a property and £40,000 cash in return for an investment. That contract was never fulfilled. Sheriff Derek Livingston ruled that the sum should be paid to the couple by the Rowatts for breach of contract. Back in 2007, our other sister paper The Sunday Mail told how unhappy customers were queing up to slate another of Rowatt's firms, Ace Maintenance, saying they had botched jobs, flood homes, inflated prices and delivered appalling customer service. Ace were being probed by Trading Standards after clocking up more than 100 complaints.
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Wishaw FC head of recruitment aims to 'bring spark back' to club after back-to-back relegations
Neil Rowatt will work closely with gaffer Paul Wright for next season Wishaw are making moves for next season after appointing a new head of recruitment to work alongside boss Paul Wright. And new recruit Neil Rowatt hopes he can bring the spark back to Wishy. The Beltane Park side were relegated from the West of Scotland Third Division last season after a miserable campaign saw them finish rock bottom, inflicting back-to-back relegations on the club. Wright came in midway through the season to take the reins from Martin O'Neill after he moved upstairs to be the club's general manager. The club have now strengthened their operations with the appointment of Rowatt to run their recruitment. He will work closely with Wright and his No. 2 Alan Robertson to assist with player recruitment and youth development, while also working closely with the club committee to help implement strategic plans to assist with rebuilding the club on and off the field. Rowatt, formerly co-boss at Bellshill Athletic, said: 'I am delighted to accept the role of head of recruitment at Wishaw. 'Since stepping away from a successful period as co-manager of Bellshill Athletic in late December, the batteries have been recharged, and I've taken in a lot of games at many levels and with a lot of engagement with some old friends, coaches and players brought me together again with long time friend and ex-teammate Martin O'Neill. 'We decided to talk football. A lot of the things he highlighted were the same details as I had encountered in my previous role at the start up. 'So straight away the contact was daily between us and, well, here we are. 'From the outside looking in, Wishaw has lost its spark, and back-to-back relegation isn't just rewards for the loyal and caring committee at the club who, when truth be told, have made huge personal sacrifices to keep the club afloat in the past. 'It wasn't so long ago I watched Wishaw compete in the semi finals of Scottish Junior Cup and they were a whisker away from the final. 'The club needs to be back to this sort of level and then on top of the hard-core support those who have drifted away will hopefully return. 'With a lot of discussions happening off the park in terms of sponsorship, the ongoing ground improvements strategy, the youth development pathway being rebuilt. 'There is a lot to be positive about however the main thing we are all involved in football for is three points on a Saturday and a good cup run.' Division Four is set to be a highly competitive league this season and the club discovered a new rival this week when former Amateur side East Kilbride YM announced they have been accepted into the division from next season, having won the Caledonian Premier League last term. Rowatt added: 'I've had plenty of discussions already about dropping into Division Four and how competitive a league this is going to be. 'A lot of local derbies are also on the cards so it's an exciting league. 'The management and players will be given the tools to prepare and be ready to go come the big kick off in what will be the start of a new and positive era in the history of Wishaw juniors. 'I look forward to seeing as many locals get down and support it.' Wishy gaffer Wright, the Kilmarnock legend and ex-striker, is thrilled to have Rowatt by his side for the forthcoming campaign. He said: 'I'm looking forward to working with Neely ahead of the new season. 'Neely is someone with a wealth of knowledge of the junior game and comes with an extensive contact list, which will undoubtedly help the club both on and off the pitch. 'I am very enthusiastic about the about the condition Wishaw FC finds itself in moving forward. 'Bringing Neely into this role only strengthens these views. It is a very positive move and the club have acted so quickly to get him on board.' Meanwhile, the club has confirmed their pre-season schedule for this summer, with friendlies kicking off on Saturday, July 5. Their fixtures are as follows: July 5 (H) 2pm - Larkhall Thistle July 9 (H) 7.30pm - Thorniewood July 12 (H) 2pm - Knightswood July 14 (H) 7.30pm - Kilmarnock FC July 16 (H) 7.30pm - Afroscots United July 19 (A) 2pm - Fauldhouse July 21 (A) 8pm - Caledonian Locomotives.
