Very much a born and bred ‘local lad’ and former pupil of Richmond School, David has spearheaded some ambitious big budget property development projects in his time; many of them involving affordable housing schemes which, to this day, continue to develop and benefit under-represented communities in Yorkshire and the North-east.

 

A forward thinker with an acute social conscience, David is described by colleagues as a ‘friendly, can do guy’ who brings realism, compassion and clarity of purpose to the CIC.

 

He spent 35 years in the property world, where, as Chief Executive of a North-east Urban Regeneration Company, he ran up an impressive portfolio of private and public funded developments worth millions. He went on to set up his own consultancy, focusing on affordable housing, and although retired remains a non-executive board member of North Star Housing Group, now owning and operating 4,500 affordable homes. He also volunteers as Chair of Richmondshire Refugee Support Group helping Syrian, Iraqi, Afghan and Ukrainian families settle into the area.

 

Raised on his parents’ council tenant farm near Catterick Village, David never left farming entirely. He is the proud owner of a vintage tractor which he brings out at weekends for tractor runs and country shows!