Fred Watt
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
Managing Partner & CFO
London, GB
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
THE MARQUE
In Their Own Right
Biography
Fred Watt is a Managing Partner and the CFO of CVC, a leading global alternative investment manager.
Focused on private equity, credit, secondaries and infrastructure, CVC is majority owned by its employees and led by its Managing Partners, with approximately €212bn of assets under management, over €243bn of funds committed, and a global network of 30 local offices. Fred joined the senior management team in 2007 and sits on CVC’s Board, investment committees, and various panels including the Philanthropy Committee.
Prior to joining CVC, Fred was Chief Financial Officer of Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) and served on the Board of NatWest Group.
Fred previously spent over 20 years with various public and private companies, including more than a decade at industrial conglomerate Wassall Plc, ultimately as Chief Financial Officer. He oversaw pre-acquisition review processes, including financial due diligence as well as post-acquisition review and integration.
A long-term philanthropist, Fred has been a Trustee at Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation for almost two decades. The UK-based charity funds key research into spinal cord injuries.
Fred was educated at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland; is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland; and a Fellow of the Chartered Banker Institute.
The Record
Background
-
2007 — Present
Managing Partner & CFO
CVC
CVC is a leading global alternative investment manager. Established in 1981, it has 30 local offices across five continents.
-
1989 — 2000
Chief Financial Officer
Wassall Plc
Wassall was a diversified industrial conglomerate. It was acquired by KKR in 2000 for $1.01 billion. Fred made his start at the company as Chief Accountant and Company Secretary before starting his tenure as Finance Director in 1994.
-
2006 — 2007
Director
Old Oak Holdings
Fred served as director of hedge fund manager Old Oak Holdings. It is the parent of Toscafund Asset Management, a specialist investment firm with assets of £4 billion.
-
1984 — 1985
Finance Division Executive
County NatWest
County Bank was the investment banking arm of NatWest. It was formed in 1965 through the bank's acquisition of numerous jobbing and stockbroking firms. Due to the merger of NatWest's investment and corporate banking departments, the company is now known as NatWest Markets.
-
1985 — 1989
Financial Controller
Lionheart Plc
Lionheart Plc was a listed mini-conglomerate.
-
1980 — 1984
Senior Audit
Grant Thornton LLP
Grant Thornton is a leading professional services network of consulting and accountancy firms. Member firms provide advisory and tax services and assurance to public sector entities and privately held businesses.
-
2000 — 2006
Chief Financial Officer of NatWest Group formerly known as Royal Bank of Scotland Group
NatWest Group formerly known as Royal Bank of Scotland Group
RBS is a commercial and retail bank in Scotland. Founded in 1727, it is a subsidiary of the NatWest Group and employs more than 71,000 staff.
Formative Years
Education
-
Glasgow Caledonian University
Areas Of Focus