John Watton — CEO
Hi, I’m John Watton. I’ve led marketing at global tech brands like Adobe, VMware and Yext, building high-performing teams and delivering commercial growth across EMEA and global markets. I understand the pressures of scaling and how marketing can (and should) drive the business forward. Over the years I’ve worked directly with GTM leaders in high growth companies to help reset teams, optimise performance, and unlock new growth - all powered by creativity, tech and AI. I believe in cutting through the noise, focusing on outcomes, and building marketing that earns its seat at the table. My depth of experience lets you do just that - faster, smarter, and with real impact. I lead brand positioning, customer engagement and GTM execution for LettsArt (no-code, AI software for artists and gallerists) and LettsSafari (subscription-based rewilding), as well as advise other start-ups on AI and growth marketing. I'm also an investor in cleantech, wellness and eco brands, co-Chair for LettsSafari and a Patron of Chiswick House & Gardens Trust. When not working you can find me trying to make the perfect caffé macchiato, going to gigs, fiddling with analog synthesisers or listening to electronic music. I'm also renovating a property in Puglia, so desperately trying to improve my Italian!
Stackforce AI infers this person is a seasoned marketing leader in the SaaS and B2B sectors.
Location: London, United Kingdom
Experience: 23 yrs 5 mos
Skills
- Strategic Marketing Management
- Start-up Leadership
- B2c Marketing
- Gtm Strategy
- Product Marketing
- Strategic Marketing
- Customer Engagement
- Growth Marketing
- Event Marketing
- Branding & Identity
- B2b Marketing Strategy
Career Highlights
- Led marketing transformation at VMware across 40+ countries.
- Achieved 9,000 attendees at VMware's flagship event.
- Transformed Adobe's EMEA marketing, growing ASV by 25% CAGR.
Work Experience
Asset Class
Strategic Marketing (9 mos)
Fresh Projects - Software for Architects & Engineers
Strategic Marketing (9 mos)
Delphi | B Corp
Advisor (1 yr 2 mos)
Pixis
Strategic Advisor (1 yr 3 mos)
JWA | John Watton Advisory
Fractional CMO (2 yrs 3 mos)
LettsGroup
Fractional CMO - LettsArt & LettsSafari (2 yrs 3 mos)
Path7
Advisor (2 yrs 3 mos)
VMware
VP Marketing EMEA (EMEA CMO) (2 yrs 5 mos)
St Mary’s University, Twickenham
Guest Lecturer (4 yrs 9 mos)
Yext
SVP, International Marketing & Growth (1 yr 7 mos)
Adobe
Senior Director, EMEA Marketing (EMEA CMO - B2B) (2 yrs 1 mo)
Senior Director, Global Brand Marketing (9 mos)
Marketing Director, Adobe Marketing Cloud EMEA (3 yrs 7 mos)
Silverpop
Vice President Marketing (1 yr)
Expedia Group
Global Marketing Director (Global CMO) (1 yr)
ShipServ
Chief Marketing Officer (4 yrs)
Cramer, Amdocs OSS Division
Director of Global Demand (1 yr)
Microsoft
Head of Enterprise Marketing (UK Enterprise CMO) (3 yrs)
ClubTM
Co-Founder (5 yrs)
Ariba
Marketing Director (3 yrs)
Education
Leading@Adobe for Senior Leaders at University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business
Corporate Education at Hult Ashridge Executive Education
Corporate Education at Henley Business School
Corporate Education at Center for Leadership Studies
Corporate Education at Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management
Corporate Education at Peppers & Rogers Group
Corporate Education at Huthwaite
BSc (Hons) at The University of Manchester