Gordon Watson
Senior radio executive and media consultant
*Fees are a guide only. Exact cost will be dependent on requirements and are subject to change.
About Gordon Watson
Gordon has spent more than three decades shaping what people hear, feel and connect with when they switch on the radio. From local newsrooms to national brands and international networks, he has led programming teams, rebuilt stations and helped broadcasters navigate change across the UK, Europe and Asia. His career brings together creativity, leadership and a deep understanding of audiences.
He began behind the microphone before moving into senior programming roles, where he quickly became known for his steady judgement and ability to guide teams through difficult moments with clarity and humour. Whether running national rock stations, reviving major Scottish brands or overseeing editorial strategy for more than 30 local stations, he built a reputation for delivering what counts: audience growth, stronger storytelling, sharper journalism and teams that feel supported enough to excel. His achievements include leading Kerrang Radio to Sony UK Station of the Year.
Alongside his radio work, G developed a second creative career as a comedy writer and performer. His credits include Dead Ringers, The Skewer, Breaking the News and the long-running NewsRevue. On stage, he mixes media-world absurdities with the dry, observational wit of a Gen Xer trying to make sense of the modern world.
A defining part of his professional life comes from personal experience: he knows what it means to challenge corporate behaviour from the inside. As a whistleblower, he saw up close how values are tested, how organisations react under pressure and how “doing the right thing” can become complicated, political and deeply personal. This now shapes one of his most personal speaking themes: what company values truly mean when they’re more than a slogan.
Today, G draws on a lifetime in broadcasting, leadership and creative work to speak with openness, humour and insight about culture, communication, creativity under pressure and the human reality of pushing back when systems fall short.
To book Keynote Speaker Gordon Watson, contact The Speakers Agency on +44(0)1332 810481 or email enquiries@thespeakersagency.com
Programming for Success: Lessons from 30 Years in UK & International Radio
A behind-the-scenes look at how major stations grow, thrive and transform. G shares his ‘almost’ showbiz life working with some of the biggest names in UK. His run ins with stars like P.Diddy (before it was cool to call him out!) and find out what he learned from the tour bus of one of the world’s biggest bands.
Leadership Without the Buzzwords: What Teams Really Need
Stories and insights from decades leading creative teams through high-pressure environments. A practical, honest and humorous guide to motivating people and managing change.
When Values Are Tested: The Lived Experience of a Corporate Whistleblower
A powerful, human and unexpectedly funny exploration of what happens inside an organisation when someone challenges behaviour. A session about ethics, courage and real-world culture.
From Newsroom to Stage: A Creative Life in Broadcasting & Comedy
G’s personal journey from radio journalist to executive to comedy writer and performer — a warm, witty talk about creative reinvention and staying sane in modern media.
