Printing has always been in the blood for John Watson. He entered the business in 1968 having excelled in printing at college in Leeds before returning to Glasgow to join the family firm.
He was appointed Managing Director at the young age of just 28 as the business continued to build a fine reputation for quality and reliability in the commercial market with fair prices and with a loyal and hardworking city workforce.
During his time in charge he transformed the business from a run-of-the-mill stationers in the city’s St Vincent Place and small commercial printers in Townhead to a truly global player in printing, whose skills – particularly in the area of label printing for the whisky and spirits industries – meant the expertise of the Company was in constant demand.
He was also appointed a Fellow of the Institute of Printing at the age of 38 and was External Assessor to the Glasgow College of Printing and Napier University, Edinburgh.
A devoted father to Four Sons – Angus, Sandy Fergus and Finlay – he has recorded notable success away from his business life. A keen golfer he is also a national gold medal winner in Winter Pentathlon and a black belt in karate.
