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United Kingdom Ellis Watson is a business leader known for his extensive experience in media, entertainment, and transport, driving transformation and growth for various brands.
As CEO, Ellis Watson was largely responsible for the global rollout of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' to over 100 countries.
As CEO, Ellis Watson took an array of record labels and programme formats, including "The X Factor" and "Got Talent," to international success.
Ellis Watson served as MD of Mirror Group Newspapers, responsible for several national and regional newspapers.
Ellis Watson served as a board member, where he turned around the fortunes of Greyhound across the Americas, improving service and morale.
As Chairman and CEO, Ellis Watson steered the business into a resilient organization by transforming its business models, brands, and commercial direction, including moving 'The Beano' from print to digital.
Ellis Watson was on the Board of Menzies Distribution from 2005 until mid-2009.
Since 2023, Ellis Watson has served as Chief Business Adviser to Scotland’s First Minister.
Ellis Watson was featured as a headlining speaker at BigHand Conference 2025.
Ellis Watson spoke at Service Dealer 2024.
Ellis Watson delivered a keynote speech at EweMove’s 2023 annual conference.
Ellis Watson has held senior positions across several prominent companies. His career began in media, including a role as Marketing Director at The Sun, reporting directly to Rupert Murdoch. He further expanded his experience in the entertainment sector as CEO of Celador, where he was instrumental in expanding the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” format to over 100 countries. Following this, he was the Managing Director of Mirror Group Newspapers, overseeing numerous national and regional publications. His diverse background also includes serving on the Board of Menzies Distribution.
In 2009, Watson joined the FirstGroup board, contributing to its strategic direction. A significant turning point in his career was his appointment as CEO of Simon Cowell’s Syco Corporation in 2010. During his tenure, he was responsible for the international success of various record labels and television formats, including “The X Factor” and “Got Talent.” In 2011, he took on leadership roles at DC Thomson, initially as Managing Director of Newspapers, and by 2012, he became Chief Executive Officer of DC Thomson Publishing. He eventually served as Executive Chairman of DC Thomson Media, driving significant digital transformation within the traditional, family-run organization.
At DC Thomson, Watson led a modernization effort, including transforming the group’s business models and commercial direction, and successfully moving iconic brands like The Beano from print to digital. His leadership at FirstGroup also involved turning around the Greyhound division across the Americas through service improvements and morale enhancement. He stepped down from DC Thomson in 2020 after a decade with the company. Since 2023, he has served as Chief Business Adviser to Scotland’s First Minister, continuing to apply his expertise in business strategy and transformation.
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