Mat Watson

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Matthew Watson is a British motoring journalist, television presenter, and YouTube content creator. He is best known as the Chief Content Officer and lead presenter for Carwow, a UK-based online car marketplace and automotive YouTube channel.

Watson trained as a chartered accountant at PwC in Birmingham from 1995 to 1998. Realising accountancy was not for him, he pursued a career in journalism, completing a course in 1999 before kickstarting his career at the Southend Evening Echo in 2000.^[1][2] Watson began his career as a motoring journalist in 2001 at Dennis Publishing, writing for Auto Express. He covered consumer issues, reviews, and classic cars.^[3] He also contributed to Carbuyer, producing both written and video reviews.

In 2008, Watson shifted focus to video production, leading motoring video content for Auto Express and Carbuyer. He helped grow their YouTube presence to over 250 million views.^[3] In 2013, he co-presented the ITV4 series I Want That Car, guiding buyers through used-car purchases. He also presented Find Me A Classic and other segments for Insight Channel.^[4]

In February 2016, Watson joined Carwow, launching its YouTube channel as Editorial Director. He was promoted to Chief Content Officer in October 2020, overseeing editorial strategy across the UK, Spain, and Germany.^[4] The Carwow YouTube channel became known for its distinctive drag races between high-performance cars and in-depth reviews. Under Watson's leadership, it surpassed 10 million subscribers and 4.5 billion views by 2024, making it one of the world’s most-watched automotive channels.^[5]

Watson has also served as the public face of Carwow in advertising campaigns, speaking at industry events on content strategy and automotive media.^[6]

Watson also runs a personal YouTube channel, Mat Watson Cars, launched in 2011, with over 1.2 million subscribers.

He is also active on TikTok, Instagram, and other social platforms, sharing car buying advice and reviews.^[3]

Watson has contributed articles to The Mail on Sunday, The Telegraph, and The Sun. He has appeared on BBC and ITV as a motoring expert, providing car-buying advice and industry commentary.^[3] He has also worked as an automotive ambassador for brands including GSF Car Parts and Warrantywise.^[7]

He is a car enthusiast who has owned various vehicles, including a Porsche 996, Mazda MX‑5, and Mercedes models. He often features his personal cars in his video content, especially on his personal channel.^[2]

• Auto Biography: An A-Z Exposé of Cars