Adrian Watson

Chief Executive Officer @Aberdeen Inspired

Aberdeen, GB

CEO of Aberdeen Inspired, the Business Improvement District (BID) for Aberdeen City Centre, which represents some 800 levy paying businesses. My role is to work with the Aberdeen Inspired Board to set the company\'s strategic direction and to ensure the ambitious business plan is delivered in a professional, transparent and cost effective way. I do this by forging strategic partnerships with all our key stakeholders at a local, national and international level.In July 2017, Aberdeen Inspired was named the European Bid of the Year in Berlin. In June 2021, Aberdeen Inspired was successful at ballot and renewed as a BID for a further 5 year term, with an overwhelming 90% of levy payer votes in favour.I lead a fantastic team of committed individuals who go \'above and beyond\' in their shared passion for Aberdeen. Through them and a host of other partners, we have delivered much, including the globally acclaimed Nuart (Aberdeen) International Street Art Festival, Aberdeen Christmas Village, Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks, Shop Aberdeen and we are a supporting partner in both the Aberdeen Comedy Festival and the multi-award winning Spectra Light Festival. Aberdeen Inspired introduced the Aberdeen Gift Card in November 2020 and it has established itself as the most successful local gift card of its kind in the UK in both 2023 and 2024, with over £4 million in sales.I brought Tall Ships (Aberdeen) back to the table and Aberdeen Inspired worked in a tri-partite arrangement with Aberdeen City Council and Port of Aberdeen to successfully deliver this event in July 2025. The largest free family event in Europe.

Robert Gordon University

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

University of Portsmouth

BSc (Hons) Policing & Police Studies

University of Portsmouth

MSc (Dist) in Criminal Justice Studies