Ellis Watson is an 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 an 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.
How can I book Ellis Watson for my next event?
Email ellis.watson@getapeptalk.com, or call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
PepTalk are the official speaking agents for Ellis Watson available to book for corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity endorsements, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Ellis Watson's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. For media interviews, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Ellis directly.
What topics does Ellis Watson specialise in?
Ellis Watson specialises in discussing entertainment, business transformation, leadership through disruption and more.
What is Ellis Watson's speaking style like?
Ellis delivers highly relevant, provocative, and entertaining sessions that resonate with audiences. He is on point, engaging, and leaves a lasting impression, making his presentations a hit with business professionals.
Does Ellis Watson offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, Ellis Watson offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.