William Barclay Peat
Encyclopedia
Sir William Barclay Peat (1852 - 1936) was born on the 15th February 1852 in Forebank St Cyrus, Kincardine, Scotland. He was the second son of James Peat and Margaret Barclay (of the banking family that built Barclays Bank, one of England
's largest). Born of privilege, Peat studied law at the prestigious Montrose Academy in Scotland
, but he did not enter the legal profession.
Instead, the eager 17-year-old moved to London
in 1870 to seek his fortune. He was hired as a junior accounting clerk for a London firm and quickly rose through the ranks, earning partnership at the age of 24.
On the 29th December 1873, Peat married Edith Roberts (d. 1929) and together they had six children.
In 1891, Peat assumed leadership of the firm, renamed it William Barclay Peat & Company, and ignited an accounting legacy that has endured until today.
"The Peat family kept the partnership going with a requirement that the senior partner needed to be a Peat for at least three generations," says Roger White, a retired KPMG
partner and unofficial organization historian who wrote the book Peats to KPMG - Gracious Family to Global Firm, which was published in 2004 in the United Kingdom
. In fact, three of Peat's sons, Sir Harry, Roderick and Charles all later became partners in the firm. The Peat name lives on today in the world of accounting. His son Charles Urie Peat was MP for Darlington
and served as Principle Private Secretary to Winston Churchill
during the Second World War.
Peat retired from the firm in 1923 and died at his home, Wykeham Rise, Totteridge, Hertfordshire, on the 24th January 1936.
Sir William Peat's great-grandson, Michael, worked for KPMG for five years and now serves as one of Prince Charles' most trusted aides. Sir Michael Peat is an Eton
- and Oxford
-educated accountant who has been lauded for his tough financial stance at Buckingham Palace
and as Keeper of the Privy Purse
and Treasurer to the Queen.
Sir Michael Peat's son Charlie Peat worked for the Sunday Times as a business reporter between 2002 and 2004.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
's largest). Born of privilege, Peat studied law at the prestigious Montrose Academy in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, but he did not enter the legal profession.
Instead, the eager 17-year-old moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1870 to seek his fortune. He was hired as a junior accounting clerk for a London firm and quickly rose through the ranks, earning partnership at the age of 24.
On the 29th December 1873, Peat married Edith Roberts (d. 1929) and together they had six children.
In 1891, Peat assumed leadership of the firm, renamed it William Barclay Peat & Company, and ignited an accounting legacy that has endured until today.
"The Peat family kept the partnership going with a requirement that the senior partner needed to be a Peat for at least three generations," says Roger White, a retired KPMG
KPMG
KPMG is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and one of the Big Four auditors, along with Deloitte, Ernst & Young and PwC. Its global headquarters is located in Amstelveen, Netherlands....
partner and unofficial organization historian who wrote the book Peats to KPMG - Gracious Family to Global Firm, which was published in 2004 in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In fact, three of Peat's sons, Sir Harry, Roderick and Charles all later became partners in the firm. The Peat name lives on today in the world of accounting. His son Charles Urie Peat was MP for Darlington
Darlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
and served as Principle Private Secretary to Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
during the Second World War.
Peat retired from the firm in 1923 and died at his home, Wykeham Rise, Totteridge, Hertfordshire, on the 24th January 1936.
Sir William Peat's great-grandson, Michael, worked for KPMG for five years and now serves as one of Prince Charles' most trusted aides. Sir Michael Peat is an Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
- and Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
-educated accountant who has been lauded for his tough financial stance at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
and as Keeper of the Privy Purse
Keeper of the Privy Purse
The Keeper of the Privy Purse and Treasurer to the King/Queen is responsible for the financial management of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom....
and Treasurer to the Queen.
Sir Michael Peat's son Charlie Peat worked for the Sunday Times as a business reporter between 2002 and 2004.