David has been responsible for the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of highly successful mentoring and coaching programmes in numerous organisations around the world. His clients include many of the world’s multinational companies, non-governmental agencies and large public-sector organisations. He has also researched, published and consulted widely on Board performance and behaviour; and on talent management. His book, The Talent Wave kick-started the systemic talent management movement.

David is active in the UK research committee of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council and maintains an extensive and continuous programme of research in his own right. He is also active in a charity he co-founded to develop new ways of using mentoring-style approaches to support young people with learning or social disabilities. He is a trustee of several charities, including Mowgliand the London Comedy School, looking at the use of laughter for social well-being and prevention of youth crime. Among his current major projects is one to create five million school-age mentors.

David holds a PhD from King’s College, London, and a post-graduate diploma in coach supervision from Oxford Brookes. His academic work takes him to universities around the world. He is visiting professor in the faculties of coaching and mentoring at Henley Business School, (Reading University), Sheffield Hallam University, Oxford Brookes and York St John Universities. Among his many honours is acceptance as an honorary Maori.

David sets himself a new learning challenge every year -- these range from skydiving to stand-up comedy. Among his not-for-profit roles is chair of the research committee of the London Comedy School, which investigates the use of laughter for social and mental well-being. His pastimes include writing humorous children’s stories, including My Grandad’s a Dragon and The Amazing Adventures of Hector, the Giant Flying Smelly Jellyfish.