Chartered accountant receives honorary accolade from UWL
James Southgate originally spent 25 years at PwC, where he specialised in assurance, audit and transaction services work for large, listed groups
A member of the ICAEW, James Southgate, and whose business career has spanned over 35 years, has received an honorary doctor of letters from the University of West London (UWL).
Southgate has strong links to the university, having served as a co-opted member of its audit and risk committee between 2014 and 2023.
Professor Peter John CBE, vice-chancellor and president of UWL, said: “I am delighted to present James, who has supported the university through a number of phases of its development, with this honorary doctor of letters degree.
“He has a wonderful ability to spot the key issues and develop his argument, and when he speaks, people listen. He has been an exceptional adviser for the university, and his extensive experience meant that all the business that was put in front of him was scrutinised carefully, and decisions made accordingly.
He added: “And he’s also a big supporter of Brentford Football Club, of which UWL is of course a proud sponsor.”
Prior to his time at the university, Southgate originally spent 25 years at PwC, where he specialised in assurance, audit and transaction services work for large, listed groups. He also carried out forensic investigations in Bahrain and took a two-year secondment to Melbourne, Australia, during his time with PwC.
From 1997, he was the group manager for PwC and responsible for 50 professional service companies, and generated over £5m of income. He was then appointed lead auditor to internal Marlborough Sterling Investment Group plc.
More recently, Southgate became CFO for the Freshwater Group of Companies, a property group with £3.5bn of property assets. He is a member of the executive team with direct responsibility for finance, treasury, information technology, mergers and acquisitions, pension and tax strategy.
Southgate said: “As a resident of Ealing, it has been a privilege to serve the university and I have been delighted to see the university flourish and grow over the years. I believe UWL is a great university which supports students in pursuing careers that benefit society.
“I have worked with some of the UK’s largest businesses and, if I have any advice for you as graduates starting new roles in the future, it is to try and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. In my career I have taken on many different challenges and learned from all of them.”
He has recently been appointed to the audit committee of S P Jain, a school of global business management.
