Hello, I’m David, the local business owner for The Alternative Board. I create and facilitate boards of local business owners and leaders who meet monthly to learn from each other’s successes and challenges, and gain peer-to-peer advice on how to develop their businesses. Members also benefit from 1-2-1 executive coaching sessions with me and have access to a range of proprietary business tools, for example to help with business planning.

I have 20 years business experience across several sectors, knowledge-based professional services as well as manufacturing; large publicly listed organisations as well as a fast growth, high performing SME. With experience of the UK, US and several Asia-Pacific markets, I have a wealth of experience to offer other business owners.

Having graduated with a Business Studies degree, the formative years of my career were spent with Ford Motor Company, including a stint at Halewood Assembly Plant. Progressing quickly, I joined Harman International in 2000, soon afterwards becoming Group Head of HR for a $500m division of this US corporation, with responsibilities across the US and Europe.

I joined Wood Mackenzie in 2003, keen to take on the challenge of a ‘fledgling’ business with very bold ambitions. Over the next 10 years as a member of the Executive Team, I implemented People Management practices recognised as central to the business’ exceptional performance – growing to 950 staff across 25 locations globally and an enterprise value of 1.2b. In 2010, WoodMac became the first multinational to attain Investors in People International – Gold.

I am passionate about the role People play in achieving business success; Achieving sustainable growth, profitability and shareholder value. My core belief is that a business might have innovative offerings, nascent markets and available funding, but none can be optimised without high quality people that are well led, oriented towards clear goals, and motivated to give their very best efforts.

Throughout my career, I have been consistently regarded as a high performing, personable and pragmatic business professional, with strong technical and leadership skills; Bringing a genuine, business-minded and straightforward approach to my work. I’m a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Fellow of the Institute of Leadership & Management, Member of the Institute of Directors, Qualified Executive Coach and Associate Lecturer on International Human Resource Management at Edinburgh University.

I moved back to North Wales last year to be closer to my family. Through my work with The Alternative Board, alongside my capabilities as an HR Consultant, I am driven to make a positive contribution to the business community in North Wales, helping business owners and leaders to thrive, both in their business and personal lives.