Profile
Ben Broadhead, Economics (2008), Managing Director at E Turnbull & Son Ltd
After graduating from Heriot-Watt, I initially worked in marketing, analytics and digital insight roles across the North East, including positions at DFDS and Newcastle University, where I worked as Head of Automation and Analytics.
Those roles gave me extensive experience in data analysis, reporting, digital transformation and strategic decision-making across large organisations.
I have since returned to our family business, E Turnbull & Son Ltd, where I now serve as Managing Director.
We are an independent family-run funeral directors based in North Tyneside and have been supporting local families since 1790. I represent the seventh generation involved in the business, which has given me the opportunity to combine commercial, analytical and leadership experience with a profession that is deeply people-focused.
In recent years we have continued to modernise and expand the business, including opening a new branch in Benton to support more families across Newcastle and North Tyneside, while still maintaining the personal and community-centred approach that has always been important to us.
A large part of my role now focuses on leadership, community engagement, communication and helping families through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Although the industries are very different, I still use many of the analytical and strategic skills developed during my degree and earlier career.
I remain incredibly grateful for my time at Heriot-Watt. The degree gave me strong problem-solving and analytical foundations, but also taught me adaptability, which has probably been one of the most valuable skills throughout my career journey.