When dreams of becoming a champion lawn bowler subsided, Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) chief executive and Hearts fan Billy Watson decided to forge a career in health
What is the first thing you do when you arrive at work?
I arrive at work between 7.30 and 7.45 and immediately go out again to form an orderly queue in Tinderbox for Glasgow’s best coffee.
What makes a good day at work?
Sampling the breadth of what we do; from speaking to people having positive impacts through our direct services and national programmes, to helping our teams campaign for positive differences and then reaching out to more and more supporters who back our cause… in the afternoon strategically plan how we will change the world tomorrow, next year and every other year.
How often do you socialise with colleagues outside the Christmas party?
This assumes I go to the Christmas Party! There are several times in the year where we combine some play with hard work.
What turns you into the office Victor Meldrew?
When the ambitions, desire and pace for improving lives and having less inequality for the most vulnerable in our society are not matched by others outside of our organisation.
What was the last thing you did that scared you?
Looking in the mirror. Also doing a rather fast and high zipline on Sentosa Island, Singapore.
What’s your favourite book?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey - “Pitching an extraordinary battle between cruel authority and a rebellious free spirit”
Would your 18-year-old self be impressed with where you are now?
Amazed more than impressed perhaps! I wanted to be a professional (lawn) Bowler.
If you were your boss would you like you?
I would hope to notice the hard work, modicum of skill, determined spirit and not be put off by the challenge!
Is Facebook your friend or your enemy?
I use it a little, mostly to keep in touch with friends and family I don’t see much of and to identify with the online Heart of Midlothian family. I am very, very careful not to confuse my personal and professional lives on social media.
Cats or dogs?
I don’t do pets sorry.
Is the third sector a calling or an accident?
It was a very conscious career change for me aged 30. NHS management gave me a fabulous platform for learning and developing and fast tracked a lot of skills and experiences for me but I knew I had to move to fulfil a desire to be less constrained in how management contributes to having positive impacts on people’s lives.
Brian Denis Cox or Brian Edward Cox?
Bob Servant.
