Trained as a statistician, David taught at universities and worked in economic and statistical roles for the government and the Bank of England, becoming a Deputy Head of Banking Supervision. He has since held non-executive directorships at foreign-owned banks, chairing audit committees, and pursued an interest in art history, completing a PhD in medieval stained glass and leading small-group art history tours. David served as an independent governor of Leeds Arts University, chairing its audit and remuneration committees and became a governor of Rose Bruford College in October 2023.