12 Facts About Colin Southgate

Colin Southgate served as chief executive of Thorn EMI and chairman of the Royal Opera House.

Colin Grieve Southgate was born in New Malden, Surrey on 24 July 1938.

Colin Southgate was the only child of Cyril, a fruit merchant in the old Covent Garden market, and Edith.

Colin Southgate won a place at the public City of London School, making the journey there by train.

Colin Southgate trained as an actuary at National Provident Institution, in a period he later described as the worst two and a half years of his life.

Colin Southgate left for the computer industry on the advice of a friend, and worked at International Computers and Tabulators customising company software packages.

Colin Southgate joined the latter as head of business and security systems in 1983, after taking an 18-month break.

Colin Southgate was appointed chief executive of Thorn EMI in 1987 and became its chairman two years later.

Colin Southgate served on the Bank of England's Court of Directors, was a trustee of the National Gallery, and chaired PowerGen.

In 1998 Colin Southgate was chosen by Prime Minister Tony Blair to chair the Royal Opera House.

Colin Southgate stood down from the Opera House in 2003 and became chairman of Whitehead Mann Group, before retiring in 2006.

Colin Southgate married Sally Mead in 1962, whom he met through his work at International Computers and Tabulators.