Chairman

Based in London

A history graduate of Kings College London University, Charles Watson has spent almost 30 years of his career in the public relations industry. Twenty-two of these were spent with leading international consultancy Financial Dynamics (FD), where as Chief Executive Officer, he led the 2003 management buy out and its subsequent sale to FTI Consulting in 2006. This MBO has been acknowledged as one of the most successful recent private equity transactions in the professional services sector. In 2011 Charles stepped down as Chairman of FD and has subsequently taken on a number of Chairmanship roles. In addition to that of the World Trade Group, they include the Karma Communications Group and New College of the Humanities. He is a Governor of Bedales School, where he is curently Chairman of the Bedales Schools Development Trust.

Group Managing Director - Business Summits, CEO North America

Based in London & Toronto

Maria joined The World Trade Group in 2003 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of North America in 2009 and Managing Director of the Summits division in 2011. She currently sits as a board member within the business. Maria relocated to Toronto in 2007 as Senior Vice President to take charge of the North American business. Originally a Sales Manager, she was appointed to Sales Director in 2004. Prior to this she was a Sales Executive for Cornhill Publications.

Maria now divides her time between London and Toronto and is directly responsible for all World Trade Group Summits and for overseeing the day-to-day smooth operation of the North American office.

Group Chief Financial Officer

Based in London

Samir joined The World Trade Group in September 2012 as Group CFO.  A Psychology graduate, he qualified as an accountant in the mid 90's and has held several Finance Director roles primarily in the marketing and media industries.  Latterly he worked at a PR agency, backed by private equity shareholders, and saw it through from purchase to eventual successful trade sale in early 2012.