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