Ellis Watson is a seasoned executive with a diverse background in revitalising and expanding global businesses across various sectors, including entertainment and transport. His career began as Marketing Director at The Sun, where he played a key role during its peak. He later became the first Head of Digital, reporting directly to Rupert Murdoch. As CEO of Celador International, he successfully launched Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in over a hundred countries.
Ellis then returned to Fleet Street as Managing Director of Mirror Group Newspapers, marking his first leadership role in a publicly listed company. He subsequently led John Menzies, a distribution and logistics firm, before joining the board of FirstGroup, where he improved the performance of brands like Greyhound across the Americas, addressing issues such as low morale and poor service.
As global CEO of Simon Cowell’s Syco Corporation, Ellis achieved success with record labels and popular formats like The X Factor and Got Talent. At DC Thomson, he transformed the family-owned media company by revamping its business models and commercial direction. He later served as Chief Business Advisor to the First Minister of Scotland, influencing the government's private sector strategy.
In his business and speaking engagements, Ellis offers insights on leveraging disruptions for positive change and fostering authentic company culture. He emphasises the importance of quality, integrity, and maximising the potential of a diverse workforce as generational shifts occur. His presentations advocate for productivity over busyness and taking control of one's impact. As a frequent TED Talk speaker, Ellis is known for his views on leading through disruption, cultivating a change-oriented culture, and navigating governance and talent management challenges. He is regarded as an inspiring and entertaining speaker in the business community.
All businesses will face complex challenges from time to time, so it is key that everyone understands how to deal with them when they do arise. An advocate for leveraging challenges, external shocks, and disruptions as opportunities for positive change, let Ellis Watson flip the script on managing difficulties in your business.
Throughout his dynamic executive career, Ellis Watson has revitalised, rebranded, overhauled, and expanded global businesses spanning sectors from entertainment and transport. Now he is here to help your leaders steer your teams to success even in the most challenging of times and build a culture that truly embraces change.
Ellis Watson has a long history of turning brands around and using their power to their full potential. Learn how to future-proof your brand just as Ellis has done with Simon Cowell’s Syco Corporation, DC Thomson, and Greyhound in this session.
