John Watson OBE retired in 2018 aged 75. He is a Director of Partnership Investment Finance in Leeds where he is Chairman. He is a qualified Solicitor and former Deputy Chairman of the Yorkshire Building Society.

Within the Conservative Party, John was the National YC Chairman in 1971 and 1972. He was elected MP for Skipton & Ripon in 1979, serving two terms until 1987.

John served at the Deputy Leader of North Yorkshire County Council between 2005 and 2013.

John has been a CABA Financial Trustee since March 2019.