My mistake Mike. I understand what you are saying.
The point I was getting at was that a very experienced pilot on a King Air who meets all the criteria (assuming CAA are happy with the aircraft is being operated multicrew) would be unable to get their ATPL issued until they were in a position to undertake the skill test on a suitable aircraft - this meaning that the only way to do so would be a switch of operator unless the pilot in question is willing to fund a TR to sit the ATPL on an appropriate aircraft