David is a Principal at Perrett Laver with particular responsibility for much of the firm's work in higher education. He started his career teaching in Nigeria and served as the minister of a church in Surrey before spending four years with what was then the UK's leading search firm in higher education in the late nineties. After eight years lecturing in a theological college, he returned to executive search in 2009. Since joining Perrett Laver, David has worked on several Vice-Chancellor appointments as well as on other senior roles in higher education and in the voluntary sector.

David has a first class honours degree in Theology from Keble College, Oxford and a PhD (in English Puritan thought) from Selwyn College, Cambridge. He has published two books in historical theology and biblical commentary, as well as book chapters, articles, and reviews. Married to Sue and with three daughters, he is actively involved in his local church and, amongst other things, he has a love for seventeenth century history, current affairs, Everton FC, John Buchan novels and early mornings.