Graham Watson was born in Rothesay, Scotland, in March 1956, the son of a Royal Naval Officer and a teacher. He was educated at The City of Bath Boys School and at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, where he gained an honours degree in Modern Languages. He is a qualified interpreter who speaks four European languages. From 1983 to 1987 he served as Head of the Private Office of the Rt.Hon. Sir David Steel MP, then Leader of the Liberal Party. He had previously been active as General Secretary of the Liberal Internationals youth movement, and was a founder of the European Communities Youth Forum. Immediately before entering parliament Graham Watson worked for the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation in their London and Hong Kong offices. His six years with HSBC encompassed a threemonth stint with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He maintains an active interest in the Far East and is an Adviser to the Asia Pacific Public Affairs Forum.

Website: http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/