Phyllis McLeish ‘Ex-Wife of Scotland’s Richest Man Divorce Settlement

Phyllis McLeish, Scotland businessman Alan McLeish’s ex-wife, is in the news these days after settling a fierce divorce dispute for a considerable amount. Her divorce, which had persisted for the last three years, witnessed one of the most publicised legal disputes in contemporary Scotland.

The saga came to a resolution after Phyllis, at the age of 59, accepted a staggering amount of settlement, far less than the 16.5 million pounds she had been previously asking for.

In this article, let’s uncover the history of the couple’s marriage, accompanied by the theatrics linked to the divorce, followed by the finalised agreement that ended the detailed legal dispute.

The Rise of Alan McLeish and the Beginnings of the Marriage

The name under legal fireworks was none other than Alan McLeish. The success McLeish experienced in business is now the stuff of legend. In 1991, he created QTS, a company that dealt with the maintenance of railways.

McLeish borrowed a mere £300 from his mother to purchase a chainsaw, and look at how far he has come. He sold his company for an astonishing 80 million euros. The man’s fencing company required chainsaws, which meant vegetation clearance near railway lines, and later on, he diversified into railway maintenance.

All this while, QTS later became one of the leading companies in Britain’s railway maintenance industry. McLeish sold QTS in 2018 for an astonishing 80 million euros.

Even though McLeish did not have any formal qualifications, finances and wealth allowed him to obtain social status, visibility and contacts in Scottish business circles.

It is during this time of McLeish’s growth that he met Phyllis. The two lovebirds tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in 2013 at the Trump Turnberry Hotel, a five-star hotel located in Ayrshire, Scotland.

As it is often the case in modern times, their marriage endured significant stress, and they parted ways in 2019. Both Phyllis and Alan had three children from previous marriages, and their breakup, which came after extensive legal battles, became one of the most widely publicised divorces in Scotland.

The Lengthy Divorce Battle

Alan and Phyllis McLeish were known for contesting every decision during the separation. Phyllis, the managing director of Kilmarnock FC, demanded an outrageous settlement, arguing that her contribution to Alan’s success deserved financial compensation.

Initially, Phyllis demanded £16.5 million, claiming she significantly impacted her husband’s company, QTS.

Alan, on the other hand, defended himself, saying Phyllis might have been part of his life, but she was not a part of his business. This argument turned out to be the major issue in their divorce proceedings

The couple is reported to have spent over $100,000 only in legal bills and incurred enormous costs in fights over settlements.

The case was scheduled for hearing at Swift Current in the Edinburgh Court of Session with the anticipation that it would last eight days. In the end, Phyllis agreed to settle the case for a much lesser amount than what she was originally asking for.

The Divorce Settlement: A Fraction of the Original Demand

After three years of legal wrangling, Phyllis McLeish settled for a figure that amounted to less than £125,000—well below the £16.5 million she had been hoping to secure.

While the sum was significantly lower than what Phyllis initially sought, it was understood that the settlement also included additional compensation, including the value of half of two properties that the couple owned in Spain.

The outcome of the divorce settlement marked the conclusion of what had been an emotionally and financially taxing process for both parties. It is believed that Alan McLeish, after enduring years of public scrutiny, was eager to bring the divorce to an end and move on with his life.

 The lengthy and costly divorce saga was a distraction he was no longer willing to endure, and the financial settlement allowed him to do just that.

A Controversial Figure: Alan McLeish’s Legal Struggles

Alan McLeish, while known for his business acumen and success in building QTS, has also faced his fair share of controversies.

In addition to the highly publicised divorce battle, McLeish found himself embroiled in a multi-million-pound legal action involving a fraudulent deal in the personal protective equipment (PPE) market.

In 2021, McLeish was defrauded in a bogus PPE deal that promised to supply the U.S. government with billions of dollars’ worth of goods.

The scam, led by merchant banker Christopher Shute and businessman Graeme Paterson, led McLeish to loan £5.5 million to secure a release of funds from a New York law firm.

However, he later discovered that the law firm had no knowledge of the transaction and the deal was entirely fabricated.

McLeish pursued legal action and was awarded £5 million in damages after winning the case at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in October 2023.

This, combined with the divorce proceedings, made for a particularly difficult 12 months for Alan McLeish. Despite these setbacks, McLeish’s financial success remained largely intact, with his company QTS having been sold for a significant sum in 2018.

The Impact of the Settlement on Both Parties

As for Phyllis McLeish, the settling of the divorce was a much-needed form of closure, even if it did not come with the financial payout she sought.

Being married to one of Scotland’s richest men and running a part of his business meant that Phyllis certainly believed she was somehow entitled to more than the chump change she settled for, which was ultimately far lower than her demands.

The settlement, however, grants Phyllis the ability to move on from the chaotic years of fighting in court. She is likely to carry on in her role at Kilmarnock FC, where she has significantly contributed to the management of the football club.

The remaining public settlement figure may have also positively added to her decision due to not getting any more unwanted publicity while hoping to start life afresh.

In the case of Alan McLeish, both he and his ex-wife Phyllis have reached an amicable settlement, which now allows him to resume his pre-divorce activities while claiming full control of his post-divorce finances.

As was anticipated, McLeish wanted to forget everything that happened during the divorce. Now that it is behind him, once again, he can give all his attention to QTS, which continues to be a pillar of his legacy.

Although suffering from some financial challenges due to the recent divorce settlement, he looks to be in a comfortable position in the long term as a reputable businessman.

Conclusion

The divorce settlement between Phyllis and Alan McLeish marks the end of one of Scotland’s most high-profile and contentious divorce battles. The amount of legal resources claimed by both sides of the contest appeared disproportionate to any rational analysis. Regardless of primary intentions, we hope this drastic drain has not gone in vain.

The end of the divorce action takes away numerous burdens for Alan McLeish, allowing him to focus on his other interests, while Phyllis McLeish can also go back to her job.