As Tony Watson, Compliance and Improvements Manager, prepares to retire after a remarkable 15 years with Lawton Tubes, we sat down with him to reflect on a life and career that spans continents, decades and industries, and ultimately helped shape the modern operations of Lawton Tubes.
A Life in Decades
Tony describes his life as “strangely structured by the decades,” each marking a new chapter of growth, discovery and challenge.
“I was born in the 1950s to an ex-WWII fighter pilot and a nurse,” he shares, noting with pride that his mother only recently passed away at the remarkable age of 104.
Growing up in the 1960s, Tony recalls a vibrant era full of music, fashion and cultural change. “What a decade to be a teenager,” he says. “Flared trousers, mini-skirts, flower power, and of course the explosion of British music. Somewhere in between all that, there was schooling and college — trying to fit in somewhere.”
A World of Adventure
The 1970s saw Tony trade textbooks for travel, spending ten years circumnavigating the globe as an officer in the British Merchant Navy.
“I travelled the world many times over,” he says. “Australasia, the Pacific Islands, South America — some of my favourite places. And of course… what goes on in the navy stays in the navy!”
Skills, Leadership, and a Passion for People
Marriage in the 1980s brought Tony back to land, where he joined Marconi Radar Systems in Essex. There, he began honing both his electronics skills and his talent for developing people.
“It was in those early years that I first identified my passion for developing people and processes,” he explains. He rose quickly to head of automated testing, setting the tone for the leadership trajectory that followed.
In the 1990s, he joined Industrial Control Services plc, progressing through production, system test, engineering and finally project management.
In the 2000s, after a lifetime in Essex, he took a leap into the Midlands, eventually becoming Operations Director at Geotechnical Instruments in Leamington Spa. His deep commitment to developing young engineers led him to establish the company’s apprenticeship scheme, a contribution that caught the attention of Midland Group Training Services (MGTS), where he later joined the Board of Trustees. One of the trustees was none other than Giles Lawton. “Need I say more?” he said.
Joining Lawton Tubes
Tony’s journey with Lawton Tubes began in the 2010s with an unexpected letter from Giles.
“I remember the words well: ‘It may not be what you are looking for, but we have an opportunity if you fancy a challenge.’”
He still recalls poking his head into the mill during the interview. “What I saw was… chaos. That was me sold!” “Giles needed help, and the rest is history.”
Tony’s work over the following years significantly shaped the company’s operational foundations — from stock management and demand planning to quality systems and warehouse layout design.
Passions Beyond Work
While Tony’s career has been defined by leadership and improvement, his personal passions reveal a deep connection to people and nature.
Highlights and Achievements
Tony explained his favourite highlight was in fact, the people he worked with. He said:
“It’s no question: the people. Working with an amazing group who’ve all contributed to making Lawton’s what it is today. My proudest achievement is also being the catalyst for change. Taking operations from the early chaos to what you see today. I hope in some small way I’ve contributed to the organisation’s wider success.
“When I started, turnover was around £80m – we’re now at £230m! Operations are always under pressure to keep pace with expansion, and with the new head office and 120,000 sq ft warehouse in the pipeline, developing the people to run it will be vital.”
The Future
For Tony, retirement brings a new kind of adventure, he commented:
“My only plan is to stay fit and healthy so I can enjoy the twilight years with my wonderful wife and family. I’ve travelled the world — now I want to explore the far reaches of the UK and further develop my photography skills.”
Tony leaves with warm wishes for the colleagues and friends who’ve shared his journey.
“I can only wish the company and all my colleagues the very best. I look forward to seeing the expansion into the new site. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be invited back to poke my head back round that door to check that chaos hasn’t crept back in!
“A special shoutout to the great team in the operations office – the banter (and challenges) kept me going long after I originally planned. Take care, all.”
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