From Sports Shop to Tech CEO: Daniel Callaghan's Unconventional Path
In an exclusive interview, Daniel Callaghan, the founder and CEO of one of the UK's fastest-growing technology companies, Veremark, reveals surprising details about his early career. The 44-year-old entrepreneur, who splits his time between London and Dubai, shared that his first job after school was working in a sports shop in Sydenham alongside none other than Rachel Reeves, who would later become a prominent political figure.
Building a Career in Business
Callaghan's journey to tech leadership began with humble entrepreneurial ventures during his school years, including selling cookies and attempting to trade internet domain names. After completing his French studies at Durham University and an MBA at IESE Business School, he entered the corporate world through a Publicis Group fast-track graduate program focused on advertising and media strategy.
"I was assigned to the Procter & Gamble strategic planning account, which was a great experience," Callaghan recalled. "However, as a 23-year-old graduate, I didn't quite resonate with the diaper and toilet paper brands I was working on."
Coming from a commercially minded family where entrepreneurship was commonplace, Callaghan always viewed business as his natural path. When he felt his initial career trajectory wasn't progressing quickly enough, he made the decisive move to attend business school and launch his own venture.
The Veremark Success Story
Today, Callaghan leads Veremark, a global background screening platform that has achieved significant milestones including Series B funding completion, a major acquisition, and crossing important revenue thresholds. The company consistently ranks among the fastest-growing businesses in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, earning market-leading feedback scores on platforms like Trustpilot.
"Seeing Veremark consistently get ranked as one of the fastest-growing businesses around EMEA and get market leading feedback scores is certainly a great source of pride," Callaghan said when asked about his proudest moments, though he added that he always believes his greatest achievements are still ahead.
Insights on London and Business Culture
When asked about the City of London, Callaghan praised its vibrancy and diverse mix of people, describing it as a place where one can "walk with crowds and keep your virtue or walk with kings nor lose the common touch." However, he expressed concern about the impact of remote and hybrid working on the city's social scene.
"It needs to recapture its social buzz," he noted. "Remote and hybrid working offers huge benefits, but it has taken its toll on bars and restaurants over the years and we need to find a way to reinvigorate that aspect of the city."
Career Advice and Business Philosophy
Callaghan shared that his guiding mantra is that "life is about progress and moving things forward." He emphasized, "You can't move things forward if you don't turn up or give up." This philosophy has clearly served him well in building Veremark into an international success.
When it comes to role models, Callaghan looks up to innovators who have transformed traditional industries, specifically mentioning Revolut founder Nikolay Storonsky. "To have built that size of innovation machine so quickly and scaled it globally is incredible," he remarked.
The CEO also cautioned against blindly following advice from successful individuals, noting that "advice is so contextual that sometimes it's best just to say thank you for their opinion, but act on it with great caution."
Personal Life and Future Outlook
Despite his demanding schedule managing offices in multiple countries including the UK, Singapore, UAE, Philippines, and Australia, Callaghan prioritizes family time with his five-year-old and one-year-old children. Weekends typically involve building Legos, reading, and coloring activities.
Looking ahead, Callaghan expressed strong optimism for both his company and the broader business environment. "Absolutely – optimists live longer," he stated. "It's a very exciting time for Veremark and we have big plans for the future. As an entrepreneur you have to be excited and optimistic about the future otherwise the grind just doesn't make sense."
When asked about his preferred London venues, Callaghan recommended Coq D'argent for its charming indoor atmosphere and exceptional terrace, and Borough Market for after-work drinks, praising its historical ambiance and variety of options.
