48. Tim Watts, Network Group

In June this year, Tim Watts said he had reached the culmination of his 40-year career in the recruitment sector when he became chief executive of Network Group, the parent company of the restructured Pertemps Group, the family business he joined in 1970. His first job was to open a second office in Wolverhampton while his mother Constance ran the original outlet in Temple Street, Birmingham.

Over the years, under his direction, the business grew both geographically and in terms of the market sectors it operated in.

In 1993, he moved the company to the next level by forming an associated partnership with his 100 top consultants, giving them a package of £17 million over a five-year period, starting in 1994. It was about this time that as a spin-off from recruitment Mr Watts got into local newspapers which he was subsequently to sell.

In November 1998, the Pertemps Group of Companies embarked on a link with the Government to help long-term unemployed people to get back to work. Over 24 months the scheme helped 10,550 people to seek and find work.

In 2002, Tim, who actively supports education, the arts, sport and charities and who is a trustee of numerous institutions, saw Pertemps achieve a turnover of £400 million and win a host of awards.
His business acumen was recognised when he was invited to join the West Midlands CBI Council.

Pertemps was named as one of the UK's most visionary companies and Mr Watts was pinpointed as one of the Midlands' most powerful figures. In May 2005 he was appointed as an Ambassador for Advantage West Midlands and was made a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands.