David studied Sport Science at college and Sport Studies at university. In late 2003 he started his own Personal Training business and fell into Education and Training because he could not grow his business because he could not find anyone with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to employ.
In 2004, whilst still running his Personal Training business, David worked at a college developing sport and physical activity qualifications and training whilst working with employers for the next 6 years. Fusing both education and physical activity work within the Sport and Leisure sector and understanding the needs of employer and the importance of workforce development.
In January 2010, David took a role as a Senior Manager for commercial development at a large college and in late 2012 he felt it was time again to go back to starting another business and joined a Learning Foundation, whose mission was to completely focus on employer led skills training. In August 2013, David founded Creative Sport & Leisure Ltd adopting a GTA model and became the Managing Director and in July 2017 became the 100% shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of the company.
David created the CSL Group which is a collection of businesses that draws upon their own specialisms within their market and come together to complement one another. This enables the group to function in a cost effective and sustainable way by drawing upon individual expertise and strengths as and when required to ensure an efficient and professional service is delivered to its common but wide ranging of customers, employers, stakeholders and learners. The group has a direct focus on sport, physical activity, education and skills sectors
David is also a Chief Officer and Founding Director of the Essex Provider Network, which represents Colleges and Training Providers throughout Greater Essex. He works on behalf of the provider network to lobby at national level including central Government to give a voice to Essex Training providers.
David also became a partnership Governor of a local school in 2014 and then spent a lot of his time at the school focusing on funding and finance and then subsequently became the Chair of Finance and then Chair of Governors. In 2017, David became the Chair of Trust and took the legal responsibility for the school.
In 2021 David become approved by the Secretary of State for Education as the founding proprietor of a newly approved DfE Independent Special School for Social Emotional Mental Health and Autism Spectrum Disorder for Boys aged 12-16yrs. The school focuses on a sports curriculum for social change. David and his wife also have a huge passion for supporting Mental Health and working in communities to drive positive wellbeing through B mindful a company founded by his wife.
Through the exposure to physical activity and sport from a young age, David has been able to use the skills learnt from being part of a team and leading teams in a sporting and physical activity context and uses these transferrable skills in business through his management and leadership styles. He strongly believes ‘The team is greater than the individual’ and working in partnership is a key driver to success.
When not working, you’ll find David enjoying spending time with his family, travelling, walking his dogs, playing football, volunteering by supporting others in the community and by giving back his knowledge and experience. He can be found generally outside either in the garden or building something usually with the kids!
