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David Broom is an entrepreneur, board adviser and marketing consultant. He founded video-first marketing agency B7.

What was your first job (and how much did it pay)? Technically, my first job was on a market stall in Glasgow from the age of 8, working with my mum and dad. We sold second-hand clothes, shoes, and handbags and I later brought those clothes online. The market was so full of character - and full of characters too - and gave me a grounding in people, energy, and hustle. But more than that, it exposed me to culture. Glasgow in the 90s was a city constantly evolving, with communities from all over the world arriving, settling, and trading. That stall taught me how to talk to anyone. It’s where I learned to sell and it’s where I learned that how you do business matters just as much as what you’re selling.

My first full-time job was as a clerical assistant in the planning department of a local authority. £12,995 a year. I was stamping post, answering phones, typing letters, covering reception. I learned humility, routine, and the reality of public service in that role. Both those jobs shaped the way I do business now: lead with people, and never be too proud to do the unglamorous stuff.

What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? “People aren’t thinking about you as much as you think they are.” That advice changed everything. It’s pretty liberating. It means you can stop waiting for permission, stop fearing judgement, and just go for it. Be unapologetically yourself.

I’ve learned to back myself, not because I’m the finished article but because I know I’ll work hard, listen well, and keep moving. You can build something meaningful with that mindset. And people will follow your lead, but only once you’ve made peace with going first.

What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing? I run businesses across three sectors: marketing, financial services, and fintech - and they’re all shifting rapidly. In marketing, B7 partners with organisations across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and the US. The challenge isn’t “how do we make content?” but “how do we make people care?” There’s more noise than ever in this space. We cut through it with story, with substance, with video that actually says something.

In financial services, we launched River Birch Newman to democratise advice and to make high-quality, values-led financial planning accessible, not elitist. The challenge here is trust - most people don’t trust the financial world. We’re working to change that, client by client.

In fintech, I am a co-owner of Fintegrate. It saves advisers time and money by giving them the tools they need to spend more time with clients, not systems. The challenge is complexity and our solution is simplicity. Tech that works quietly and powerfully in the background. So I am involved in sectors but I have one mindset: solve real problems with real empathy.

What would your dream job be?
I don’t think in terms of jobs anymore. If I want to build something, I go build it. I’m fortunate and driven enough to be in that position. That said, I’d quite enjoy managing Manchester United. Not because I think I’d be good at it (although…), but because it’s the ultimate leadership test: high stakes, constant scrutiny, and needing to inspire belief in people under relentless pressure. Then again, some days running businesses feels exactly like that (and is probably way easier than managing Man United these days!)

What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector?
In every sector I’m part of - marketing, finance, tech - the advice is the same: humble yourself. Ask loads of questions. Actually listen. Take action. Repeat. You don’t have to blindly follow every bit of advice, but you do have to be curious. Ask questions because it builds relationships. Take action because it builds experience. And soon enough, you’ll realise people are now asking you for advice.

The other thing? Do the hard yards. It’s not glamorous, but if you can handle the boring stuff with energy, the exciting stuff comes your way faster.

What makes the North East a good place to do business? Simple: the people. Honestly, they’re just class.
There’s a down-to-earth attitude in the North East that reminds me of Glasgow, where I grew up. People are generous with their time, sharp with their minds, and quick to back you if they believe in what you’re building.
There’s also something about the way this region operates. We know we’re sometimes overlooked, so we work harder, move faster, and support each other better. There’s a real sense of, “we’ll show them.” And we will!

How important is it for business to play a role in society? Massively important. Business is one of the most powerful tools we have for driving real, lasting change. More than government, in many ways.
Businesses can generate money, yes, but also jobs, community, innovation, and hope. The right business at the right time can lift families out of poverty, bring new ideas into the world, and shift entire industries.
We’ve got a responsibility to do more than grow profit. We’ve got a chance to make things better.

Outside of work, what are you really good at? Firstly, I don’t really separate “work” and “life.” I’ve designed a life where what I do and who I am are aligned. That doesn’t mean I work all the time but it does mean I care deeply about what I create and who I do it with. That said… I’m a good singer. I Love music. And I think I’m a great dad - Not perfect, but present. My family gives me a kind of joy and clarity I don’t find anywhere else.

Who would play you in a film about your life? I’ve no idea. Whoever’s brave enough to handle a Scottish-Geordie hybrid who overthinks everything and still tries to make people laugh. Maybe I’d just play the role myself. I know the lines. And I’ve earned the role!

Which three people would you invite to a dinner party, and why? Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Vee and my Gran. Sir Alex for leadership lessons, stories, and raw competitive fire. Gary Vee because love him or hate him, he says what he means and works his socks off. And my Gran because she passed when I was four, and I’d give anything to have a proper conversation with her as the man I am now.