Carmen Watson joined Pertemps in 1976 as a secretary and by 1983 had progressed to the boardroom as commercial director. From 1983 to 2000, she was responsible for the formation of a corporate business team and turnover grew tenfold from £32 million to £323 million. Watson was named managing director in 2000 and then became chairperson in 2012. A long-term supporter of diversity in the workplace, Watson is one of the foremost speakers on the value of women in the boardroom.