Dr Watson with his CBE. Photo by Martin Shields
Printing pioneer receives a CBE in Edinburgh
Dr John Watson has received a CBE from The Princess Royal in a ceremony at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh
Dr Watson received the fresh honour for his role as a “Businessman and Philanthropist for Services to Education and to Charity”.
Dr Watson is one of Scotland’s most respected business figures who turned the eponymous Glasgow printing business John Watson and Company into an unrivalled global name – notably in the production of labels for the drinks industry and Scotch whisky industry in particular – becoming its Managing Director at just 28.
John Watson and Company can trace its history from its founding as a small jobbing printer back to 1825. However, in the last 50 years the firm excelled thanks to the entrepreneurial drive of Dr Watson and his team of print specialists who took the Company to new heights – ultimately becoming the largest printing company in Scotland.
He sold the business in 2013 in an eye-catching multi-million-pound deal to the global US conglomerate Multi-Color Corporation, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and since retirement has focused largely on significant philanthropic endeavour helping countless charities through his Watson Foundation while retaining an influential presence on the Scottish business scene.
This latest honour comes 14 months after the University of Glasgow
awarded him an Honorary Doctorate for his Charitable work and Business Achievements. Prior to this, Dr Watson received his OBE from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 2006 on the occasion of her 80th birthday for “Services to the Scottish Printing Industry and Charitable Purposes.”
Dr Watson said he was “honoured and elated” to be have received his CBE from The Princess Royal.