One of the most influential figures in the UK media will be guest speaker at the CN Group Business Awards.

Ellis Watson has played a pivotal role in bringing hugely-popular programmes such as X-Factor, Britain's Got Talent,  and Who Wants to be a Millionaire? to our TV screens. 

He has been chief executive of DC Thomson Publishing, one of the world's largest family-owned media groups, since 2012. 

Previously, he was global chief executive of Syco Entertainment, a joint venture between X-Factor's Simon Cowell and Sony, running the global format and commercial strategies for X Factor  and BGT, as well as the recorded music businesses.

The Syco appointment followed spells on the board of Menzies and FirstGroup, the huge public transport operator with brands from First Great Western to America's Greyhound Bus network. 

Before that he was at the helm of Mirror Group Newspapers, running five national titles.

Mr Watson's first break came as a young marketing director at The Sun  and News of the World, moving on to take charge of the new digital business where he reported directly to owner Rupert Murdoch.

After 10 years at News Corporation he became chief executive of Celador International, licensing Who Wants to be a Millionaire? to 100 countries and overseeing 130 consumer products. 

The annual CN Group Business Awards celebrate the achievements and enterprise of Cumbrian businesses and are run by CN Group, publisher of The Cumberland News.  

They will be presented at a gala dinner at Carlisle Racecourse on October 21. 

The judges have met to pick 43 finalists and 15 winners, whose identity will be kept under wraps until the awards night.

The finalists range from small firms such as Chimney Sheep, the Maryport business that developed a range of draught excluders for chimneys made from Cumbrian Herdwick wool, to industrial heavyweights including Innovia, Iggesund Paperboard and Oxley Group. 

The awards are sponsored by Cumbria Business Growth Hub and Rural Growth Network. 

All the shortlisted businesses receive two complimentary tickets for the awards dinner.