In 2009 Ellis Watson joined the board of FirstGroup. With 140,000 employees, the Aberdeen based company is the world's biggest privately owned public transport operator - with businesses ranging from First Great Western in the UK to America's legendary Greyhound Bus network.
Ellis' new role came after spells as MD of Menzies Distribution and Mirror Group Newspapers, where he was responsible for five national and 240 regional titles. He was previously Managing Director at Celador International, heading up commercial sales of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? He licensed the format in more than 100 countries - creating a global television phenomenon (and sowing the seeds for the hit film Slumdog Millionaire). The show also spawned 130 separate consumer products.
Ellis' first step on the management ladder was as a remarkably young Marketing Director at the Sun and News of the World, reporting directly to Rupert Murdoch. He helped reverse the decline in sales and launched a number of what were then cutting edge initiatives, from brand extensions to Books for Schools. He also conceived CurrantBun.com, which quickly became a successful ISP.
