A British businessman was battered to death in his luxury apartment in Barcelona.

Derek Cowan, 46, was discovered lying in a pool of blood by his business partner, Andreas Langweider. Spanish police are reportedly anxious to interview a former close business associate of Mr Cowan who was due to meet him on the day he died.

Mr Cowan, who was originally from Larkhall, in Lanarkshire, but had moved to Spain seven years ago, is thought to have run into the man by chance and arranged to meet him again on October 8 to discuss a new business opportunity.

Mr Langweider became worried when Mr Cowan failed to return his calls and went round to Mr Cowan’s flat in the fashionable Eixample district, only to find him dead.

A police source said: “Andreas gave a full account of Derek’s movements on the day of his death. He claims that Derek met him and said he’d bumped into [this man] out of the blue. He said he had a great new business idea and he wanted Derek on board.

“Andreas and Derek were a bit surprised about that but Derek agreed to see him nonetheless. They had arranged to meet at 11.30am on the day Derek died. Andreas said that he had spoken to Derek near his flat after 11am and said he’d speak to him again after the meeting.

“He tried to phone Derek but couldn’t get hold of him and still hadn’t spoken to him by 2pm, which he thought was very strange.

“Andreas went back to his own flat and got a set of keys for Derek’s apartment and eventually went round there at around 4pm.

“He told detectives he walked into the living room and saw Derek lying on his back on the floor. He described there being lots of blood, more than there would be from just a punch.”

Mr Langweider, who is from Germany, said: “All I will say is that Derek was my best friend and he was like a brother to me. He was the best person you can imagine and he is missed by so many people.”

Mr Cowan, who lived with his Spanish girlfriend, was a partner in United Companies and Associates.

On his profile page on the Friends Reunited website, he wrote: “Have travelled extensively, living in London, Manila and now settled (for the time being) in Barcelona. Living with Spanish girlfriend and working as a currency trader in the sun.”

He attended Lanark Grammar School, in Hamilton, and Larkhall Academy, according to the site. John Irvine, 46, a close friend of Mr Cowan, said: “He was a very likeable character, very good fun, entertaining and sociable. He was good-hearted through and through and very close to his friends.

“It is a terrible thing that has happened. It was a shock for all who knew and cared about him.

“I’m absolutely shattered with it.” Mr Irvine, who runs a scaffolding company in Hamilton, added: “He had a nice lifestyle in Barcelona and I’m not aware of him having any problems. He always sounded very positive.”

He said that Mr Cowan was abandoned as a baby and brought up in an orphanage before being fostered by a family in Larkhall. He had recently found his natural mother and half-brother and sister in London.

“He had a pretty unfortunate beginning and a tragic end but he did more living than a lot of people,” Mr Irvine said.

Times Recommends

• Donor organ allowed child’s own heart to heal
• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating