Getting to know... Darren Burroughs

In the latest instalment of Bdaily’s Getting to know... feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, Darren Burroughs, UK managing director at London-headquartered media partner organisation Media Futures Market, talks about the delight he takes from working in the media landscape, his joy at seeing team members flourish and singing with Mike Skinner.

Did you always want to work in media?

Not consciously. Looking back, though, it makes perfect sense. 

I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people, building relationships and understanding what motivates them. 

It’s a bit of a cliché to say I’m a people person, but I genuinely love meeting new people and creating meaningful connections, which is probably why this industry has been such a natural fit.

When I graduated, I explored a few different career options, but media immediately stood out. 

It was explained to me as being a bit like fantasy football – you’ve got a budget to work with and you’re constantly deciding where to invest it to get the best results. 

That strategic element really appealed to me. 

Add to that the social side and the variety of people you get to work with, and I was hooked.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

The best part is seeing people grow. 

Watching someone develop their skills, gain confidence and go on to achieve great things is incredibly rewarding. 

Creating a high-energy culture and bringing teams together behind a common goal is one of the aspects of leadership I enjoy most.

I also love the thrill of winning new business. 

There’s a level of risk that comes with pitching and winning new clients that still gives me a buzz today.

The hardest decisions aren’t usually about poor performance – they’re relatively straightforward. 

It’s when you have good people doing their best, but the business’ needs dictate a different outcome. 

Those are the decisions you make with your head, even when your heart would rather do something else. 

Thankfully, those situations have been relatively rare in recent years.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? 

One achievement I’m particularly proud of was launching Creative Life while I was at Archant. 

At the time, as a regional publisher, we recognised that local clients could achieve far better results through paid-for, high-quality creative work, rather than relying on the added-value, low-cost solutions that were commonly being used. 

I led the creation of a dedicated creative department, building the proposition from the ground up, developing the pipeline and creating a new revenue stream for the business. 

We generated £800,000 in revenue in the first year and were on track to reach £1.5 million in year two.

What made it especially rewarding was seeing talented designers given the opportunity to do the kind of creative work they were often only able to pursue as freelancers. 

How do you relax outside of work?

Football is a big part of my life.

I’m a lifelong Aston Villa supporter, so I spend plenty of time watching matches, following football podcasts and keeping up with analysis through subscriptions like The Athletic.

I also love live music and festivals. 

If I could guarantee myself a ticket to Glastonbury every year, I’d take it without hesitation. 

Beyond that, I’m happiest spending time with friends and family, whether that’s over a good meal, at a festival or simply enjoying a trip to the pub.

What makes London such a great place to live and work?

I live in Hertfordshire now, but I spent many years living and working in London.

What makes it special is the sheer variety it offers. 

Whatever your interests, there's something for everyone.

The diversity of people and experiences is unmatched. 

Food, entertainment, sport, shopping: everything is right on your doorstep. 

It’s a city that constantly evolves and always gives you something new to discover.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…

When I was a teenager, I was part of a rap group called The Juveniles of Hip Hop. 

One of our friends was Mike Skinner, long before he found fame with The Streets, and we used to record tracks at his house.

Mike even featured on a couple of our demo recordings, and somewhere in my loft is a cassette tape containing those tracks. 

The real challenge now, though, is finding something that can actually play it!

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