Following an executive career in international organisations in the private and NGO sectors, David now has a portfolio of non-executive and trustee board roles. David was Chief Executive of The Elders, a group of independent global leaders – mainly former Presidents and UN Secretary Generals – founded by Nelson Mandela working together for peace, justice and human rights, until October 2021. David is now Chair of Anthesis Group, International Alert, and the Joffe Charitable Trust; he is also the Senior Independent Director of Drax Group plc; a Board (‘Council’) member of Chatham House, and of the International Budget Partnership; and a member of the Ethical Investment Advisory Group of the Church of England; and an independent Councillor on his local Parish Council. David’s previous executive roles include serving as Chief Executive of WWF-UK from 2007 where he also chaired WWF’s Global Climate and Energy Initiative; Chief Executive of the Transparency International Secretariat based in Berlin; Finance Director and a Deputy Chief Executive of Oxfam, where he also headed up Oxfam’s operations in India for a period; and as Finance Director of the European packaging business Field Group plc, through its management buyout and subsequent successful flotation on the London Stock Exchange. David originally qualified as a chartered accountant with PWC, moving into venture capital with 3i, and then into manufacturing. In a non-executive capacity, David has previously served as Chair of Traidcraft plc, a Director of Low Carbon Accelerator, Vice-Chair of Shared Interest, Chair of Transparency International UK, Deputy Chair of the International Integrated Reporting Council, and on the Marks & Spencer plc Executive Advisory Board on Sustainability. David has two degrees in theology, one in finance, and an honorary doctorate.
