A former BBC broadcaster presenting Panorama and the Money Programme, and Chairman and Fellow of the Royal Television Society, Alan Watson today is Chairman of CTN Communications and Chairman of Havas Media UK. For 10 years he was European Chairman of Burson Marsteller. He advises many major UK and international companies on their communications strategies. For five years he was Head of Media at the European Commission.

Alan holds a range of visiting and honorary posts and doctorates at universities in Britain and abroad. In 2005 he was appointed Chairman of The Cambridge Foundation, and in 2010 he was elected High Steward of Cambridge University for life.

A former President of the Liberal Party, he is an active member of the House of Lords. Alan is Vice President of the English Speaking Union, and a recipient of the Churchill Medal. He also holds the Knight’s Grand Cross of Germany’s Order of Merit, and the Commander’s Grand Cross of Romania’s Order of Merit.

An author, his books include ‘The Germans: Who are they now?’, ‘Jamestown: The Voyage of English’ and most recently ‘The Queen and the USA’.