CREATING EXTRAORDINARY AUDIENCE EXPERIENCES
David is a senior leader with over 15 years of experience in a variety of senior roles across many of the UK’s leading arts, cultural, heritage, and entertainment organisations.
He is a strategic, creative, and entrepreneurial leader who thrives on collaboration and ambition. He excels in leading multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement high-quality strategies and activities that engage, educate, delight, inspire, and entertain audiences. With a sharp focus on operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and effective governance, he ensures organisations achieve growth while upholding artistic excellence and delivering high-impact results.
Throughout his career, David has taken on roles that enable organisations to unlock their full potential, supporting them in reaching new heights—whether by attracting new and more diverse audiences, increasing income through diversified revenue streams, or achieving new standards in creative storytelling, production, and audience experiences. His work contributes to the UK’s globally respected reputation for delivering world-class cultural and creative experiences.
David recently served as Executive Director of Audiences & Media at National Museums Liverpool, where he oversaw the Exhibitions, Marketing & Brand, Digital, PR & Communications, Development (Fundraising), Strategic & Creative Partnerships, and Creative Studios (design and production) departments. National Museums Liverpool comprises seven world-class museums and galleries, and David played a key role in shaping their public engagement and growth strategies.
Prior to this, he was Director of Brand & Advocacy for Birmingham Royal Ballet, where he led sales, marketing, digital, and communications. As Head of Digital / Digital Editor-in-Chief for Hull UK City of Culture 2017, he was responsible for developing a first-of-its-kind citywide integrated ticketing platform, alongside overseeing the successful implementation of integrated campaigns, content production, and digital innovation initiatives. David has also held senior roles at English National Ballet, the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Opening & Closing Ceremonies, the Royal Opera House, and Rambert Dance Company, where he contributed to groundbreaking campaigns and digital transformation projects.
As a consultant, he has worked across the arts, culture, heritage, and entertainment sectors, developing and implementing corporate, brand, marketing, communications, digital, and artistic/creative programming strategies.
David is Chair of Storyhouse, the groundbreaking multi-arts venue in Chester, which uniquely combines a purpose-built theatre, library, and cinema, alongside a highly successful open-air theatre and engagement programme. He is also Chair of Back to Ours, a leading community arts-producing organisation in Hull that presents everything from circus and theatre to music gigs and comedy in schools, community spaces, and even supermarkets.
He has previously held trustee positions with One Dance UK (the national body for dance), Middle Child Theatre, Dance Umbrella, and Islington Arts Factory.
David is the Creative Director of MlkMen, a mischievous sock brand, and Lumanique, a luxury home fragrance company. He is also the Founder of The Great British Gala, a major new cultural initiative celebrating and showcasing everything that makes dance in Great Britain exceptional.
Additionally, he is the producer and host of Before the Applause, a podcast that explores what it really takes to create world-class arts, culture, and creative experiences, featuring guests from across the creative industries.
Before establishing a successful career in arts leadership, David trained professionally as a dancer, performing across the UK and internationally. He also worked as a choreographer for stage and screen.
Work History
National Museums Liverpool
Executive Director of Audiences & Media
Jul 2019 - Dec 2024
Liverpool, United Kingdom
The Great British Gala
Founder & CEO
Jan 2018 - Present
MlkMen
Founder & Creative Director
Sep 2018 - Present
Consultant (Digital, Marketing, Communications & Brand)
Dec 2018 - June 2019
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Director of Brand & Advocacy
Nov 2017 - Feb 2019
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Hull UK City of Culture 2017
Head of Digital / Digital Editor-in-Chief
July 2015 - Nov 2017
Hull, United Kingdom
English National Ballet
Digital Media Manager
Feb 2013 - Jul 2015
London, United Kingdom
London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Opening & Closing Ceremonies
Digital Media Manager
Oct 2011 - Oct 2012
London, United Kingdom
KREATIVEINC.
Creative Director
Sep 2012 - May 2015
London, United Kingdom
Royal Opera House
User Experience Manager / Web Content Manager / Digital Designer
Jan 2008 - Sep 2011
London, United Kingdom
Rambert Dance Company
Digital Manager
Jan 2007 - Jan 2008
London, United Kingdom
KREATIVEINC.
Creative Director
Jan 2005 - Jan 2007
London, United Kingdom
Boards & Advisory Groups
Back to Ours
Chair
Jun 2023 - Present
Hull, United Kingdom
Storyhouse
Chair
Nov 2022 - Present
Chester, United Kingdom
OneDance UK
Trustee
Dec 2017 - March 2023
London, United Kingdom
Middle Child Theatre
Trustee
Jan 2018 - June 2021
Hull, United Kingdom
BBC Arts & Digital Advisory Group
Advisor
2016/17
London, United Kingdom
Islington Arts Factory
Trustee
Jan 2011 - Jan 2016
London, United Kingdom
Dance Umbrella
Trustee
Aug 2011 - Aug 2014
London, United Kingdom