David Bell
FRSA - FCIM - FIOEE - CMgr FCMI
Contact Details
DDI: +44 (0)333 1500 160
Mobile: +44 (0)7970 719367
Email: dbell@simboc.com
Contact Card: View & download
Book a call with David
Book a private one-to-one virtual meeting?
Name: David James Bell
(FRSA - FCIM - FIOEE - CMgr FCMI)
Position: Founder & CEO
Age: 49
D.O.B: 26th February
Home Town: Braintree, Essex, England
Favourite Film: The Matrix
Favourite Sport: Skiing
Favourite Food: Italian
Favourite Pet: Shadow (My Springer Spaniel)
Get Connected… Connect with David
David is a highly accomplished, multi-award-winning company director, entrepreneur, executive business advisor, technology expert, keynote speaker and chat show host. He is passionate about helping others succeed and driving businesses to achieve their full potential.
Starting his entrepreneurial journey in 1995 at seventeen, David Co-founded APC Solutions, which is recognised as a leading provider of wireless communications solutions. It has delivered projects in the UK, Europe, South Africa, North America, and the Middle East.
David has vast experience and knowledge in communications, IT solutions, technology, and A.I., backed by a solid understanding of business management, leadership, and communication.
In 2013, David founded Simboc Limited, a business, technology consultancy and management company that provides bespoke services to other organisations. Motivated by his passion for seeing others reach their potential, David enjoys mentoring and coaching others to help them realise their dreams and business goals.
David frequently receives public speaking requests and has extensive experience presenting at award ceremonies, universities, and corporate events.
David founded The Speaker Expert in early 2015 to help coach and train individuals who want to learn how to speak and present like an expert. The Speaker Expert is now the go-to speaking organisation for many business owners and their teams.
David volunteers as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) ambassador for STEMNET, helping to inspire young people and encourage them to enjoy STEM subjects.
David is a fellow of Anglia Ruskin University and serves as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, providing advice, guidance, and support.
In 2015, David was awarded an Honorary Fellowship (FIoEE) from the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs for his contribution to UK enterprise.
In June 2017, David was awarded Fellowship (FCIM) status by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
In late 2020, David Co-founded ChatBox Productions. Chatbox Productions—‘the home of conversation’—is an award-winning company born during the pandemic and was founded by business owners David Bell and Nick Looby. They answer the need for support, information, entertainment, and discussion in business and public arenas.
David is also a shareholder and the UK Sales & Marketing Director for Symbiosys IT. Symbiosys is a technology solutions and integrations provider with its head office in the Western Cape, South Africa, and its European office in London, United Kingdom. It has grown substantially since its founding in 2004 and now supports organisations in over 36 countries.
In 2022, David was awarded a Fellowship (FRSA) as a member of The Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
Most recently, in June 2024, David was awarded a fellowship with the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI) and received Chartered Manager (CMgr) status.
As an aside, you’ll have lots of fun and laughter working with David. He’s warm-hearted and gets a real buzz out of seeing others succeed.
David lives in Essex, England, with his family and exuberant (sometimes insane) Springer Spaniel. In his spare time, David likes to play squash, watch motorsport, go for a run, indulge in a glass of fine wine or tackle the downhill on a pair of skis. He’s partial to a game of golf, but he’s not any good at it.
Honours and Awards
Business Networking Platform of the Year for the 2025 GLOBAL Innovation & Excellence Awards for Chatbox Productions
Corporate LiveWire Global Awards - Business Consultancy of the Year 2025
SME UK Enterprise Awards 2025 - Best Business Chat Show Hosts 2025 for Chatbox Productions
Global Business Insight Awards - Most Outstanding Business & Technology Advisers - EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) 2023
Corporate LiveWire Global Awards - Business Strategy Consultancy Firm of the Year 2023
Corporate LiveWire Global Awards 2023 - Most Innovative New Media Company - UK for Chatbox Productions
Corporate LiveWire Global Awards - Business Advisors of the Year 2022
Awarded a Fellowship of the RSA (The Royal Society for the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) 2022
Innovation and Excellence Awards Winner - International Business Advisory Service of the Year 2022
Crop Today Awards 2022 - Best International Business & Technology Advisers – EMEA
SME UK Enterprise Awards 2022 - Best Business & Technology Advisors in Europe
Novo Business Awards 2021 - Award for Innovation for Chatbox Productions
Corporate Coaching and Recruitment Awards - Best Executive Coaching Specialists - London
Global Business Insight Awards - Most Outstanding International Business & Technology Advisers - EMEA 2021
Global Business Insight Awards - Most Outstanding International Business Support Company 2021
Global Business Insight Awards - Best International Business & Technology Advisers - EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) 2021
Innovation and Excellence Awards Winner - International Business Advisory Service of the Year 2021
Corporate Coaching and Recruitment Awards - Best International Business & Technology Advisers - EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) 2020
SME UK Enterprise Awards - Best International Business Support Company 2020
Awarded an Honorary Fellowship as ‘Entrepreneur in Residence’ at Anglia Ruskin University - 2019
Awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM) 2017
STEM UK Inspirational Ambassador Finalist 2016
Essex Business Champion of the Year 2016 for East of England
East of England Business Champion of the Year 2015
Essex Business Champion of the Year 2015 for East of England
Awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs for contribution to UK enterprise (FIOEE) 2015
Essex Business Champion of the Year 2014 for East of England
Entrepreneur of the Year 2013, Finalist for the National UK Entrepreneur Awards
Business Person of the Year 2013, Finalist at the prestigious Comms Awards in London
Business Person of the Year 2013, Finalist for East of England
Business Person of the Year 2012, Finalist for East of England
Best Motorola Application Partner 2011, in Europe, Middle East & Africa
Businessman Man of the Year 2011, for Essex
Businessman of the Year 2011, Finalist for Essex Countywide
Watch David in action
Chatbox Productions - David & Nick interview business owners on their weekly business chat show. Watch more episodes here ChatBox TV
Join Christine Michaelis, Vice President of the European Startup Association interviewing David Bell.
Find out more about the European Startup Association www.eustartupassociation.com
Join Debbie Gilbert from the Best Business Women Awards as she interviews David about judging these prestigious awards.
Listen to the Podcast on Spotify
David is a fellow member of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM)
Awarded an Honorary Fellowship as ‘Entrepreneur in Residence’ at Anglia Ruskin University - 2019
David has volunteered over 500 hours as a STEM Ambassador in education
David is a fellow member of The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and a Chartered Manager (CMgr FCMI)
Awarded an Honorary Fellowship as ‘Entrepreneur in Residence’ at Writtle University College - 2018
David is an advisor for The Cambridge Learning Gateway
David is a mentor and fellow member of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (FIOEE)
David is a member and former East of England Regional Chairman for the FSB
David is a fellow member of the RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce)
David was awarded Volunteer Champion by the FSB for his dedication and hard work to supporting businesses
David was selected as one of sixty personal mentors for the Queens Young Leaders program
David is a Director and Board member for the Eastern Fraud Forum.
David is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) Ambassador
David is an advisor for The Consortium