John Watson OBE was the star guest on the hugely-popular Sunday business radio show “The Go Radio Business Show with Hunter & Haughey.”
Presented by two of Scotland’s foremost entrepreneurs, the programme broadcast on Sunday 23 October featured John and his impressive track record as one of the UK’s most inspiring captains of industry.
Now retired from the dynasty his family founded – John Watson and Company Ltd where he was Chairman and Chief Executive – John told his fascinating business story of how he guided the printer to its world-beating position.
He was among fine company in the form of Sir Tom Hunter and Lord Willie Haughey.
Both are exceptional examples of successful entrepreneurship and well-known names in the Scottish business scene and beyond.
Sir Tom’s first business quite literally started from the back of a van and grew to become Europe’s largest independent sports retailer, Sports Division. He sold the business in 1998 for £ 290m going on to establish his private equity business, West Coast Capital with a strong emphasis on philanthropy through The Hunter Foundation.
Lord Haughey started City Refrigeration in 1985 with 4 employees and a turnover of £100k, and by the mid 1990s, City transformed itself from a refrigeration company into one of the largest privately-owned Integrated Facilities Management companies in the world. It has taken the company 34 years to get to a £1bn turnover, with a realistic chance it will be at £2bn within the next 3 years.
On the show, John charted his journey of business excellence turning what was a run-of-the mill printer – albeit with a proud reputation – into a major global player in the production of labels for the drinks industry – particularly whisky brands.
That inspiring business decision fuelled the success of the enterprise and ensured the livelihoods of many employees at its world headquarters in Glasgow.
Following John’s retirement – when the business was sold to US conglomerate Multi-Color Corporation in a multi million pound deal – he turned his attention to guiding emerging entrepreneurs reaching for business success AND focusing firmly on philanthropy.
He has won a number of awards for his entrepreneurial flair and supported countless charities – notably Marie Curie and Social Bite run by its co-founder and John’s great friend Josh Littlejohn MBE.
John said after recording the show: “It was wonderful to be in the presence of two of Britain’s stand out entrepreneurs whose contribution to the UK economy is immense. I have always admired Willie and Tom and it’s no wonder their weekly business show is such a ratings hit. I felt privileged to be able to tell my story stretching back 50 years in business.”
The Go Radio Business Show with Hunter and Haughey is on every Sunday from 11 am to 12 noon. Listen to the 23rd October episode here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v2vMAuvH1JwyQCx2J8Zji?si=c475a5f95992489f
PodBean Download: https://www.podbean.com/site/EpisodeDownload/PB12F3637CVCPH