The son of George Henry Brookman and Blodwin Nash, he was educated at Nantyglo Grammar School in Monmouthshire.

Brookman worked as steel worker for Richard Thomas and Baldwins in Ebbw Vale from 1953 until 1955, when he began his service in the Royal Air Force.

He was also member of the British Steel Advisory Committee on Education and Training from 1986 to 1993, and of the executive council of the European Metalworkers' Federation from 1985 to 1995.

On 30 July 1998, he was created a life peer with the title Baron Brookman, of Ebbw Vale in the County of Gwent[1] and sits for Labour.

In May 2019 it was revealed that Brookman claimed over £50,000 in expenses, covering a 12-month period, during which he never once spoke or submitted written questions and never took part in a single debate.