David has over 30 years experience of tourism, hospitality and events management education. His academic career commenced at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Polytechnic, UK now Northumbria University. He was a member of the academic team that developed the UK`s first degree in Travel & Tourism and became the Course Leader for this degree and Head of the Centre for Travel & Tourism. At Northumbria University David published text books and academic journal articles on his interest in how to develop the employability and management skills of students – he continues to write on this very important topic.

In 2001 he was appointed Head of the Centre for Tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK and then in 2011 he became Head of School Events, Tourism and Hospitality. As Head of School he oversaw the design and launch of online degrees and also supported the development of the UK Centre for Events Management. An important part of his role was that of initiating transnational education opportunities for his School and a key partnership was established with the Bandung Institute of Tourism, Indonesia to create MSc International Tourism & Hospitality Management that is delivered jointly by both institutions.

David is now President of the Asia Pacific Institute for Events Management, Chief Executive of the Travel Industry Academy Ltd and Visiting Professor at Bali Institute of Tourism and Bandung Institute of Tourism, Indonesia and Distinguished Professor at the College of Tourism, Chung Hua University, Taiwan.

In his career to-date he has authored or co-authored six books on transferable personal skills and employability skills development; edited one book on sustainable tourism and contributed a number of chapters to edited books. David has undertaken consultancy projects in tourism and events management and is frequently invited to give conference papers and workshops. Currently he also works for London Metropolitan University, UK as a tourism consultant contributing to an Erasmus + project that is helping to develop occupational standards for tourism managers in Russia and Krysgstan.