Early Career in Engineering and the Merchant Navy
David started his working life in the Merchant Navy as a Marine Engineering Officer. After 10 years, and with a young family, he took the decision to retrain as a mature student, completing a degree and converting from Marine Engineering to Mechanical Engineering.
Engineering and Management Development at BAE Systems
On completion of his degree he joined what is now BAE Systems as an Engineering Graduate working on Airframe Systems. An opportunity arose to move into Training and he worked in Management Development designing and delivering courses for professional and management staff.
His next career move was into HR as a generalist managing the company’s Warton site with additional responsibilities for Health and Safety and Occupational Health departments. During this time he developed broad experience across operational leadership and HR consultancy and business support.
HR Leadership and International Responsibilities
David then took on roles as Site General Manager for Woodford (Cheshire) and Brough (Yorkshire), incorporating a broad range of disciplines with additional responsibility for community relations. This led to his appointment as HR Director for the Regional Aircraft business with site responsibilities for Prestwick, Weybridge, Toulouse, Washington (USA), Hatfield and Woodford.
The nature of the business resulted in major restructuring into a customer support organisation following the cessation of manufacturing of Jetstreams and Regional Jets. This work involved extensive experience in organisational restructuring and complex employee relations matters.
Regulated Training and Capability Development
In 2009 he re-joined the military aircraft business to establish the regulated and mandatory training requirements for BAE Systems to support the contract for maintaining the RAF’s fleet of jets. This was new ground for the business but his experience in civil aviation helped in leading the capability development of both the facilities and the professional and technical development of aircraft maintenance personnel.
He held delegated authority of Part 147 for BAE Systems for the approval of training facilities and programmes, leading to the licensing of competent personnel and ensuring compliance with aviation regulatory standards.
Consultancy and HR Advisory Work
David left BAE Systems under a voluntary redundancy programme in 2015 to embark on a career as a consultant.
David’s expertise lies in operating as an HR Director in a true generalist capacity. He has also managed shared service contracts both as a customer and as a delivery partner.
Employee Relations and Trade Union Expertise
His specialist area is employee relations, particularly working with Trade Unions and senior leadership teams to resolve complex workplace issues and deliver practical HR solutions.
