he University of West London (UWL) has awarded Philip Tottman an Honorary Master of Business Administration (MBA) in recognition of his achievements as an entrepreneur, strategist and business leader, and for his commitment to creating positive social impact through innovation and mentoring.
The honour was conferred during the University’s graduation ceremonies at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on 23 July.
An unconventional path to success
After graduating from UWL with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Philip’s journalism career was short-lived. Struggling with anxiety and depression, he experienced a period of significant personal difficulty that ultimately led to him leaving the industry, briefly sleeping in his car, and restarting work at the Rose and Crown pub in Ealing.
This period proved pivotal, shaping both his outlook and his later work.
Mental health support for young people
Drawing on his experiences, Philip co-founded Book of Beasties, with the aim of helping children better understand their mental health through play and storytelling. The initiative reached around one million young people across the UK and internationally, launching multiple products, research projects, and multi-award-winning programmes across healthcare, education, and the toy industry, alongside some of the world’s leading organisations.
Driving growth through innovation
Today, Philip is Head of Growth and Strategy at Clix Technology, where he applies his experience in strategy development and execution to support crosssector growth, most notably within the pharmaceutical industry. His work has contributed to the company increasing revenue by over 300%, while positioning it as a trusted partner in highly regulated environments.
Introducing Philip at the ceremony, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Suresh Gamlath highlighted his ongoing contribution to UWL:
“Through his dedication to his profession, his continued support to the University’s Westmont Enterprise Hub, and his willingness to mentor entrepreneurs, share his knowledge, and encourage those taking their first uncertain steps into business, he gives his time generously without expecting anything in return.
“He understands that success is measured not only by what we achieve ourselves, but also by the opportunities we create for others.
Addressing the graduands, Philip encouraged them to be patient with themselves:
“If I could offer any advice, it would be to look after yourself, and to be kind to yourself, and take your time, because there’s absolutely no rush with life, it’s long enough.
“Every single person is great at something and brings their own unique skill and value to the table. Figure out yours and you’ll find all the success in any situation you find yourself in.”
