Originally from Tayside, Dave has an honours degree in history from the University of Stirling, and a master’s in education from the University of Sheffield. He joined the Civil Service as a graduate, managing Job Centres and Benefit Offices and working as a policy and programme manager for youth and adult training in the Manpower Services Commission in the 1980’s.  In 1990, he joined Scottish Enterprise (SE) as Director of Skills Development in Ayrshire.  He was appointed as Chief Executive of Dunbartonshire Enterprise in 1998 leading the completion of the £60m Loch Lomond Shores tourism development and the regeneration of the Clydebank waterfront. In 2006 he moved to lead SE’s operations in Edinburgh and the Lothians prior to becoming Director of City Development at the City of Edinburgh Council where he was responsible for projects including the Edinburgh Bioquarter, the extension of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) and the refurbishment of the Usher Hall and Royal Commonwealth Pool. 

Since 2012 he has worked as an urban regeneration consultant and interim Director with five local authorities successfully delivering projects such as Chester’s Northgate Centre, the new Anglia Ruskin University Campus in Peterborough, successful Town Deal bids in Peterborough and Bournemouth, Housing Infrastructure bids in High Wycombe and an Innovation Centre and public realm improvements in Hartlepool. In 2023 he led work on the formation of the Mayor’s Business and Enterprise Board for Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and managed LCR’s successful life Science Investment Zone bid. He has also led work on the formation of successful Business Improvement Districts in Edinburgh, Peterborough and Chester. 
 
Dave lives in Helensburgh and is married with four adult children. He is a Trustee of Right There a homelessness prevention charity, immediate past President of Helensburgh Cricket and Rugby Club and former Chair of City of Glasgow College. In his leisure time he enjoys swimming, golf, badminton, playing guitar, following Scotland’s rugby and football fortunes as a fan, experiencing new places and cultures and spending time with his grandchildren.