Career
After finishing his secondary education at Devonport High School for Boys, Wattley served for a year as a pilot officer in the Royal Air Force, before beginning a career in the Civil Service. He initially served within the Ministry of Works between 1950 and 1971, before moving to the Department of the Environment (1971–1973) and then the Department of Transport. Most of his time with the Department of Transport was spent with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre (now the DVLA), of which he was appointed Director in 1985.
Under his leadership, the public reputation and efficiency of the DVLC improved, and he also worked to raise the sense of corporate identity among the staff
He retired from his position in 1990.
