David's career started as a Naval Dockyard apprentice, he graduated from Kings College London and served in the Royal Navy for 17 years as a marine engineer officer.He was a Surveyor, PSC Inspector and Examiner of Engineers in the UK Department of Transport and then Principal Marine Surveyor in charge of the Bermuda Registry of Shipping. Joining the MCA, his posts included Chief Surveyor of Ship Construction and Deputy Director with responsibility for Business Development. His duties were also as a Governor of the World Maritime University, Chairing committees including those for UK Safety of Navigation, Domestic Passenger Ship Safety, Port Marine Safety Code and High Speed Craft.He was also seconded in 2003 to the UK Foreign Office in Iraq as Coalition Provisional Authority Envoy to Thi Qar Province based in the city of Nasiriyah. His final post in the MCA was as Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen for the UK Ship Register during a period when the UKSR tonnage grew by 28% in just over two years.