Initially starting a career in 1994 in Hospitality and Catering, working both internationally and nationally, David moved into local government, working for Bury Council in 2009. Initially starting as a civic venue manager, David has built a successful career and is now Head of Commercial Services with a workforce of over 600 people. Whilst working for Bury Council, David’s passion for people, inclusion and diversity was ignited when he joined the council’s LGBT Employee group and was made a Stonewall role model and equality ally in 2010. Since then, David has focused on ensuring that equality, inclusion, and diversity is in the heart of everything he does.
Over the past 6 years, he has been instrumental in driving and leading Bury Pride to become the UK’s best small pride event in 2021. He is involved in supporting the LGBTQI+ community across Greater Manchester as well as co-founding the Bury LGBTQI+ Forum, a charity which supports and assists the community to access services successfully as well as supporting organisations to be inclusive.
He is also a member of Bury Council’s Inclusion group which supports policy change within the council to promote equality and inclusion for the workforce as well as Bury residents.
He has been awarded the Greater Manchester Chief Constable’s Citizen Commendation for Partnership working, as well as being awarded multiple times for volunteering and inclusion.
He is the Chairperson of Annabelle’s Challenge, a national charity which supports families impacted by Vascular Ehlers Danlos syndrome, vEDS, a rare genetic disorder which is caused by faulty type III collagen. The charity also works internationally with the vEDS community to find improved treatments and ultimately a cure.
Being interested in the arts and music, David is also Vice Chair and on the Board of Directors for the Met, a theatre in Bury, as a trustee, focusing on dynamism, programming, equality, diversity and inclusion.
He was made a Deputy Lieutenant in March 2022