corporate affairs director

ANDREW
WATSON

AVAILABLE FROM JANUARY 2027

A senior external affairs and communications professional with c-suite level experience advising boards and CEOs of Scottish and UK companies on corporate affairs strategy.

For more than two decades I have worked across politics, government relations, strategic communications and corporate affairs, advising major companies and organisations' strategy on managing external relations with ministers, parliamentarians, public bodies and industry leaders.Most recently, as External Affairs & Marketing Director at Alexander Dennis, a global leader in bus manufacturing, with 1,800 employees worldwide, I led engagement with governments, transport authorities, industry stakeholders and policymakers during a period of significant debate about the future of public transport, industrial strategy and net zero transition.A member of the senior leadership team I led the company through the biggest restructure of their Scottish manufacturing operations, resulting in the closure of one site in Falkirk and the repurposing of the company's Larbert plant to focus on chassis assembly. As Alexander Dennis is one of the UK's most high profile manufacturing companies, these changes were one of the most high-profile political and business stories in 2026.I led engagement with the UK government on the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement Rules of Origin, “Made in EU” and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism provisions.

My experience spans advanced manufacturing, defence, transport and food and drink, combining political insight with commercial understanding to help organisations build influence, manage risk and secure cross-party support for their business objectives.Whether working in-house or advising clients, I bring a practical understanding of how decisions are made, how reputations are shaped and how organisations can engage effectively with those who matter most.Previously Head of Communications & Partnerships for leading industry trade body Salmon Scotland (2022-25) I worked with dozens of producer and supply chain companies to protect and promote the reputation of the globally renowned Scottish salmon brand with key stakeholders including the media, customers and government at home and abroad.I shaped the Scottish salmon industry's narrative, focusing on jobs and economic benefit and promoting salmon's place as the UK's top food export, with domestic and international sales worth £2 billion a year.As one of the most experienced and well-connected communications professionals working in the industry, I served on the judging panel for the global Aquaculture Awards in 2024 and 2025.

Skills and experience

  • External Affairs & Government Relations Helping organisations understand political and regulatory risk, engage decision-makers and influence policy discussions.

  • Strategic Communications Developing clear strategies and narratives that strengthen organisational reputation and support business objectives.

  • Stakeholder Engagement Building productive relationships with government, industry, community and media stakeholders.

  • Public Affairs & Advocacy Designing and delivering campaigns that support organisational priorities and create opportunities for engagement.

  • Issues & Reputation Management Helping organisations navigate complex or sensitive situations with confidence and credibility.

Endorsements

"A strategic thinker with working knowledge of media relations, crisis communications and public affairs, he’s a real all-rounder, always looking several steps ahead."Well-planned proactive campaign or fleet-of-foot media response, you can trust Andrew to calmly and professionally deliver on time, every time."Added to this the fact he’s as genuine and authentic as he is driven, and it’s easy to see why he has gained the respect not only of the aquaculture sector itself but – crucially – its stakeholders and key media contacts too."Lesley Rice - Ex-Head of Communications & Marketing, Scottish Sea Farms