Biography - Ann Watson
Having left the University of Teesside with a
first class honours degree in Business Studies, Ann Watson joined
Pipeline Induction Heat as Marketing Assistant. Having gained her
Chartered Institute of Marketing diploma, she spent her early
career in various marketing and communication roles within
engineering and training organisations, including Kaverner and
Capitb. This foundation has provided her with a broad range
of knowledge and experience, plus an acute understanding of the
sector, all of which she brings to her current role.
Ann joined EAL in 1998, and was appointed to
Managing Director in 2005. In this role, she is responsible
for building on EAL’s strong performance and expanding its
portfolio to further develop and reinforce its status as the
certificate of choice within the engineering, technology and
related sectors. Currently, 76 percent of all engineers in
the UK hold an EAL vocational qualification, and it is Ann’s
intention to replicate this success within the building services
sector, making this a key area of focus for her in 2008 and
beyond.
In 2007, the Yorkshire and Humber Institute of
Directors recognised Ann’s achievements by naming her as one of
three Young Director of the Year finalists. Her strengthening
of EAL’s market leadership and subsequent increase in turnover were
among the reasons for this nomination.
Prior to her appointment as Managing Director,
Ann held a series of key positions within EAL, spanning seven
years, including Marketing Manager and also Product Manager.
During this time, Ann spearheaded EAL’s increasingly
strategic approach to marketing, product development and new
business, doubling the organisation’s profits in two years.