Gary Watson Email & Phone Number

Sunderland, Gb

North East England

Teesside

The International Fire Training Centre is a world leader in the provision of fire training to airport fire services and fire fighters in the marine, industrial and off-shore sectors. The company is owned and operated by Serco. I had full, general management responsibility for the performance of the business. IFTC employs 84 full and part time staff, operates a nineteen acre fireground with a range of training assets, an 84-bedroom accommodation block and a fleet of six fire appliances. IFTC… Show more The International Fire Training Centre is a world leader in the provision of fire training to airport fire services and fire fighters in the marine, industrial and off-shore sectors. The company is owned and operated by Serco. I had full, general management responsibility for the performance of the business. IFTC employs 84 full and part time staff, operates a nineteen acre fireground with a range of training assets, an 84-bedroom accommodation block and a fleet of six fire appliances. IFTC trains up to 10,000 civilian and military firefighters each year across three UK locations. Export sales account for 45% of our income with key markets in EMEA. The overseas work won the IFTC the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2017. I was accountable for P&L, operations, business development, bids, statutory compliance, staff engagement, business planning and reporting (financial and operational). For two years during this time, I was also responsible for the management of two outsourced MoD fire services comprising 35 firefighters based on high hazard sites. Show less

I joined the Blackswan business in October 2008 when I worked as a Programme Director for the company's international talent management and executive coaching business. The Blackswan family of businesses is diverse and in February 2010 I transeferred to GD Contract Services as Managing Director. GD was a facilities management business servicing businesses and public sector organisations across the north of England. Our services included contract cleaning and grounds maintenance delivered… Show more I joined the Blackswan business in October 2008 when I worked as a Programme Director for the company's international talent management and executive coaching business. The Blackswan family of businesses is diverse and in February 2010 I transeferred to GD Contract Services as Managing Director. GD was a facilities management business servicing businesses and public sector organisations across the north of England. Our services included contract cleaning and grounds maintenance delivered through a team of qualified, experienced personnel. In April 2011, in line with the business plan of strategic divestment, we sold the GD business. Blackswan is now developing a search and selection capability to complement the broader talent management service offer. My role is to develop the team and grow the business in line with the group's development strategy. Show less

I was appointed by the retired owner of the business to take full operational and strategic control of this £2.5m turnover recruitment business. The purpose was to develop the business, reduce the costs and sell the company within twelve months. The company provided temporary labour in a variety of sectors. I managed a team of twelve staff including an operations director, eight fee-earners, two accounts personnel and an administrator. I was responsible for business development, team… Show more I was appointed by the retired owner of the business to take full operational and strategic control of this £2.5m turnover recruitment business. The purpose was to develop the business, reduce the costs and sell the company within twelve months. The company provided temporary labour in a variety of sectors. I managed a team of twelve staff including an operations director, eight fee-earners, two accounts personnel and an administrator. I was responsible for business development, team performance, rigorous financial management and all compliance issues. Show less

Full profit and loss responsibility for the NECC’s international trade and commercial products department: managing a team of thirteen staff with a sales budget of £1.8m. I was targeted to develop the NECC’s income streams by increasing penetration of existing products and by developing new services to sell to the membership base. This involved customer profiling, data analysis, tendering new products, developing marketing campaigns and sales materials, coordinating promotional events… Show more Full profit and loss responsibility for the NECC’s international trade and commercial products department: managing a team of thirteen staff with a sales budget of £1.8m. I was targeted to develop the NECC’s income streams by increasing penetration of existing products and by developing new services to sell to the membership base. This involved customer profiling, data analysis, tendering new products, developing marketing campaigns and sales materials, coordinating promotional events, improving processes and optimising cross-selling opportunities. I managed the sales and service performance of our sub-contractors and wrote the contracts by which these relationships were regulated. Show less