Alan Watson

Alan Watson (The Lord Watson of Richmond CBE) is a PR operative and former journalist.

According to a speakers biographical note on the Website of the English Speaking Union:

Alan Watson is Chairman of CTN (Corporate Television Networks). He advises many major UK and international companies on their communication strategies and is Chairman of the Coca-Cola European Advisory Board. He is also Non-Executive Chairman of the Wine Importer, Raisin Social. His business career began with four years as CEO of the advertising agency, Charles Barker City.

In broadcasting Alan was a regular presenter with “The Money Programme” on BBC2 and “Panorama” on BBC1. He also reported on LWTV, Radio 4 and the BBC World Service and wrote and presented award winning documentaries over many years. He is a Fellow and former Chairman of the Royal Television Society. From 1976 to 1980 he was responsible for Media at the European Commission.

Chairman of the English Speaking Union for six years he is now International Chairman Emeritus. In 2005 he was awarded The Churchill Medal. He is Chairman of the Council of Commonwealth Societies and a member of the Executive Committee of the Pilgrims. He is Co-Chair of the Jamestown 1607 – 2007 British Committee. Additionally he is a member of the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum.

Internationally he has served on the Executive Board of UNICEF (UK) and as a member of the European Parliament’s High Level Group on Romania. In 2004 he was awarded the Commander’s Grand Cross of the Romanian Order of Merit and in 2007 the Knight’s Grand Cross of the German Order of Merit.

Alan holds a range of visiting and honorary posts at Universities in Britain and abroad. His publications include Europe at Risk, The Germans: who are they now?, Thatcher and Kohl: Old Rivalries Revisited and Jamestown: The Voyage of English.

A former President of the Liberal Party, he was appointed CBE in 1985 and created a Life Peer in 1999. He is a Member of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union. Lord Watson is married and has two sons. He was educated at Diocesan College Preparatory School Cape Town, Kingswood School Bath and Jesus College Cambridge. He lives in Richmond and Somerset.

Notes

[[category:Journalists|Watson, Alan]