LDC Top 50 2026
Tom Keegan
Group CEO
DBD International
When Tom Keegan joined DBD International, the nuclear consultancy was losing £170,000 a month. Having worked on projects for global firms including Telefónica and PwC, Tom saw potential. “This company in Warrington excited me and I backed myself to transform it.”
He’s grown it to over £30 million turnover in the last ten years, opening offices across the US and Australia, and believes he can take it to £300 million in the next decade. His ambition is rooted in a tough childhood. “My parents split up when I was young and I remember bailiffs coming round. I want my children to have the safety and security I never had.”
My parents split up when I was young and I remember bailiffs coming round. I want my children to have the safety and security I never had.”
Q&A
How did you rebuild the business?
I struck a deal with the founder: “If I turn the business around, I want the opportunity either to buy you out or participate in the sale.” There were only about 30 employees but the business had all the overheads and trappings of a much bigger company. The first couple of years were hard. There were days when I was paying people’s wages on my own credit cards, even though it wasn’t my company, because I just wanted it to succeed. I stripped everything back and asked, “What’s the market? What’s the value we actually bring?” DBD stood for Different by Design, and that’s still our ethos. We think differently and help clients solve some of the world’s biggest nuclear challenges.
What have you learnt about yourself as a leader?
I never really fitted in at school because my brain worked differently. Most people spend their careers learning to think quicker; I’ve spent mine learning to slow down. My friends bought me helicopter flying lessons recently because they said it was the only thing that would force me to focus on one thing. They were right and I love it.
What’s next for you?
I recently invested in a friend’s struggling electrical business. I know absolutely nothing about wiring new-build houses but that’s not really the point. It’s about sharpening your sword; remembering what it feels like to build something from scratch again. That keeps me hungry.
