I've made the journey. Now I'm a 'wingman' for others.

I 'fell' into the advertising industry, co-founded the global media agency PHD and made my first successful exit. Later, I delivered another one, selling an independent digital media agency just before the 2008 economic crisis.

Now, I use decades of collected lessons, as a Chairman, Mentor, and 'Wingman'. My goal is to be more involved than a typical non-exec: I watch the backs of founders and CEOs, helping them navigate the complex journey I’ve already completed. I do it to learn from smart people, to give back, and because it’s genuinely rewarding. I’m a trusted, non-judgmental sounding board for leaders, helping them start up, raise funds, build infrastructure, and prepare for sale.

This experience is what led me to write my award-winning book, The Money Train.

All these years, successful exits, and boards later, I have had a successful career and I want to help others achieve the same.

Get in touch

Smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and beard sitting on a patterned couch, hands clasped near his face.

"David has been our wingman in every sense of the word. He’s brought clarity when things felt overwhelming, conviction when decisions felt heavy, and accountability when the stakes were highest. Through fundraising highs and lows, he’s helped us shape our story, guided key investor conversations, and ultimately supported us in securing capital. Beyond the strategy and experience, what we value most is that he genuinely cares, he shows up, he listens, he challenges us, and he backs us. David isn’t just a chairman; he’s been a foundational part of our journey, and truthfully, we wouldn’t want to do this without him."

Dhruvesh Ranpura & Neel Thakrar

Co-founders - tuck

Smiling man in a white shirt with small red dots sitting outdoors and holding a book titled 'The Money Train' by David Pattison.

Four colleagues in a meeting room, one presenting data on a large screen displaying charts and text, while the others sit at a table with laptops and notebooks.

Two men sitting at a black round table in a modern room, one using a laptop and the other using a tablet.

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How I help you

Guiding leaders, teams, and ideas to their next level. Working alongside you to challenge assumptions, unlock clarity, and make better decisions under pressure.

"Working with David over the past five years has been one of the most defining influences on my journey as a founder, both professionally and personally - his impact has been profound. He has an exceptional ability to cut through complexity and bring clarity to every situation, often seeing the path forward before anyone else. I come away from our conversations feeling more confident, clearer in my thinking, and better equipped to lead. His wisdom, insight, and unwavering support give me the confidence that whatever challenges lie ahead, I can face them with clarity and conviction and know I have a wingman to watch over me."

Sam Peters

CEO & Co-Founder - Vyde

The Money Train

The Money Train by David Pattison is an honest, experience-driven guide to the realities of raising investment. Drawing on years as a multi-exit founder, CEO, investor, and adviser, Pattison strips away the hype to reveal what really happens when founders take outside money. From the promises and pitfalls of venture funding to the fine print that can cost you control, culture, or direction. This is a practical, plain-speaking roadmap for any founder who wants to grow their business without losing their way, and approach fundraising as a journey to be planned, not a gamble to be survived.