Graham Watson Tennis Scotland Chair
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Graham Watson Named New Tennis Scotland Chair
Tennis Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Graham Watson as its new Chairman.
Graham brings with him an extensive track record in business and sports governance and has amassed significant boardroom experience both in executive and non-executive capacities.
He was appointed following a thorough process involving the recruitment panel, which included senior representatives from Tennis Scotland, sportscotland and the LTA.
Graham has a professional background in law and chartered accountancy and was a partner at Deloitte for over 10 years.
His executive roles have included Chief Executive of Carnegie Sports International, which he founded with the backing of Sir David Murray, and his own management consultancy, Positive Leadership Limited, through which he co-founded the highly respected charity, the Winning Scotland Foundation, inspiring young people to be the best they can be.
Graham is also an independent non-executive director of a number of Scottish organisations, including Heriot Watt University, Scottish Futures Trust and Scottish Golf. He will formally take up his role on January 1 and replace the outgoing chairman, Scott Martin.
An Exciting Time To Lead Tennis Scotland Forward
Graham Watson said: “This is an exciting time to lead Tennis Scotland forward and the opportunity to develop the sport and make it as accessible as we can to people of all ages and abilities across the country is what really appealed.
“I would like to thank our outgoing chairman, Scott Martin, for leaving such a solid platform on which to build future success. I am also well aware of the work and significant growth delivered by Blane Dodds and his team to continue to broaden the appeal of tennis across the country; in partnership with the LTA via their significant investment into the game in Scotland which ensures the organisation is in such a strong position to deliver success.
“Naturally COVID-19 has impacted on grassroots tennis in Scotland but since the easing of restrictions we have recorded significant growth in general participation and the sport is uniquely placed to provide health and wellbeing benefits to communities up and down the country. With more money, the national academy at Stirling and new facilities coming it is an exciting time for the sport. The chance to collaborate with partners to provide a lasting legacy for the achievements of the Murray family is an opportunity I am keen to embrace, working closely alongside the Murray family themselves.
Shared Vision
The shared vision of Tennis Scotland and the LTA is ‘tennis opened up’ - a sport for everyone and personally the goal of inspiring young people to achieve has motivated me throughout my professional life. This will be a central theme of my chairmanship. In my early conversations, this is a vision shared by Blane and the Tennis Scotland board and I look forward to getting started in the New Year.”
Scott Martin added: “It has been an honour and a privilege to Chair the Tennis Scotland board during a period of continued growth and success. We now have record investment coming into our sport from ourselves and the LTA, a world-class performance pathway, and we are on the cusp of significant development in our indoor facilities network.
“I give my thanks to my fellow board members and Tennis Scotland colleagues, led by CEO Blane Dodds. We have achieved together through strong collective working, and I know that same determination will be applied when Graham takes the role in January. We have a wonderful platform from which to build from and I wish Graham and the organisation all the very best for the years to come.”
