Reg Watts: the best of the Reuter ideals - accuracy, speed, discretion and loyalty

Reg Watts and I worked closely together from the time he returned from Washington to his move to UK management. He was the top commodity journalist in Washington where the USDA and rival journalists held him in the highest regard and consulted him, a British journalist. We met on his return when he become a highly respected and initiating editor. The commodity service was a world leader. Reg knew the details of the many commodity markets having earlier worked in the infamous City Office.

He embodied the best of the Reuter ideals: accuracy, speed, discretion and loyalty. I well remember one time when some city heavies took issue with a story. Reg never wavered in his support, resisting questions coming via the old seventh floor. Over a year later the Reuter limousine took us with, I think, Manfred and Mike Nelson to eat much better than humble pie; the accusations has been withdrawn. That was typical of his support. He was always charming, considerate and modest and never afraid to stand his ground and could be very stubborn. He had no time for prima donnas.

I don't remember ever having a row. Quite correctly he had little patience for laziness and carelessness.

He enjoyed the challenge of new services and markets such as London's first energy and financial futures markets. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and was a first class teacher and mentor taking pleasure when these bore fruit with a commodity scoop from a hardened general news correspondent! ■