Dr Watson with University Chancellor Dame Katherine Grainger
ONE OF Scotland’s foremost business voices and leading philanthropists John Watson OBE has received an Honorary Degree from the University of Glasgow.
Dr Watson was conferred with the honour at a graduation ceremony held at the University’s Bute Hall in Glasgow in early December.
Describing it as a “huge honour” Dr Watson said it was “extra special” coming as it does from the university in the city where he ran the eponymous printing dynasty John Watson and Company.
Dr Watson spent 50 years at the firm – as it grew from a “small printer and stationery business” into a globally-admired name, specialising in printing labels for the drinks industry in general and the whisky industry in particular.
Dr Watson following the ceremony at the University
In 2015, the sale of the business to industry giants Multi-Color Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio was one of the biggest corporate deals in Scotland of recent years – and one which, crucially, kept jobs in Glasgow.
Embarking on retirement following his role as Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Watson turned his attention to “giving something back” following in the footsteps of the historical figure he most admires – fellow philanthropist and Scots-born US industrialist Andrew Carnegie. This led to the creation of The Watson Foundation
In the past decade he has financially helped countless charities – notably the city’s Marie Curie Hospice, the ongoing restoration of the iconic Clyde steamer TS Queen Mary and supporting the work of homeless charity Social Bite run by his great friend Josh Littlejohn MBE.
He has also been a guiding light for emerging entrepreneurs offering wise counsel on how to make their businesses grow and prosper.
Dr Watson said: “This Honorary Degree from the University of Glasgow is a great honour – made all the more special in that it comes from a seat of learning in the very city where John Watson and Company was founded and flourished.
“We are proud of our connection to this great city and of the many Glaswegians who helped make the business I led such a success. I will always be grateful to them for their hard work and endeavour – the same kind of endeavour shown by so many graduates of this outstanding and world-beating university.”
Previously, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce awarded Dr Watson a “Lifetime Achievement Award” and a further honour came in 2015 when he was named Scotland’s Entrepreneur of the Year in the prestigious Scottish Business Awards in front of a 2000-strong audience at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Dr Watson following the ceremony at the University
Dr Watson received an OBE from Her Late Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace on the occasion of her 80th birthday for “Services to the Printing Industry and Charity in Scotland.”
Pictures by Martin Shields