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City of opportunity
DC Thomson is a company that has been inextricably linked to Dundee’s history when the city was famous for “Jute, journalism and jam”. Today, the city is undergoing a regeneration, which Ellis said is another great part of being able to work back in Scotland. He said: “It’s an exciting place to
work as there is a vibrancy about the city. It’s remarkable what the council and its private enterprise partners are doing to re-energise the city. “DC Thomson is part of Dundee’s heritage, as we are a big employer in the city, so we take our responsibility of supporting Dundee and its economy seriously.”
work back in Scotland, so when the DC Thomson position came up in 2011, I jumped at it. “It’s one of the UK’s leading media
companies and has a great publishing heritage, which goes back to the mid- 19th century. “As a family-owned company, it has a
loyal and long-serving team. However, unless we rapidly change our business model and re-imagine what our company can be, then we are going to have some challenges in surviving in the future – and I love challenges.” Another important reason for Ellis
returning to Scotland is his love of the Scottish landscape. That’s why he made his home on the banks of Loch Tay seven years ago. He explained: “We decided to have our
family home in Scotland as I was having to work abroad quite a lot, but I was able to return home for a few days at a
time. After the stresses of Dallas, or the madness of Hollywood, it was a great way to recharge my batteries and calm down – but the commuting wasn’t doing anything for my carbon footprint. “It’s wonderful to finally be home
and my commute to Dundee each morning takes me past some of the most wonderful scenery in the world – it’s some of God’s best work. “I’ve got a 17-mile outdoor swimming pool in my back garden. Okay, it’s not heated, but it is surrounded by the most fantastic landscape which I get out in, hike in, sail and windsurf in. It is just magnificent.” Ellis said the Scots people are special
too. He said: “I took ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ to many places and I’ve travelled to more than 50 countries around the world doing business. Although I have had the privilege of working in some amazing countries and
with amazing people, I think there is a passion, honesty and integrity to the people of Scotland which you will never find anywhere else.” He’s also enjoying the opportunity to travel around Scotland as part of his work and doesn’t mind the odd trip to London or Europe either. He added: “I’m perfectly pleased to
travel on business to places but I’m not quite as happy as I am when the wheels touch down in Scotland again. “I believe there is nothing quite like
Scotland. It’s a mixture of heritage and beauty, which is added to by the passion of its eclectic and humorous people – and that’s what makes living here such a heady cocktail for fun and adventure.”
GlobalScot
In addition to being a popular inspirational speaker at corporate events, Ellis Watson is also a GlobalScot – a select group of business people with a strong affinity to Scotland. They are prepared to share their
experience or use their influence in international markets to help other Scottish companies access new markets around the world.
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