Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Leeds Beckett University announces new Chair of the Board
David is familiar with Leeds, having previously lived in the city for 30 years. He is a former Editor of Calendar News and was a Director at Yorkshire Television for six years where he was responsible for network programme development and corporate development. David established and was the first Chairman of Leeds Media, the media industry best practice organisation for media companies in Leeds, and was also previously director of the Yorkshire Screen Commission (now Screen Yorkshire) and Chairman of Leeds Studios.
Speaking of the appointment David said: “I am delighted to take on this task at such a challenging time for higher education. Television is going through a time of disruption and change. There are fascinating parallels in education as the range of choice and the methods of delivery widen. Leeds Beckett has responded superbly to the challenges over the past few years thanks to the skills of the management, the support of the academic and professional support staff, and the guidance of the Vice Chancellor and the Board. I hope to be able to ensure Leeds Beckett can build on that firm base. Our focus has and will remain on our students; their education, their wellbeing, and the best preparation for their future employment.”
David began his career as an economist, moving into newspaper journalism and training as a journalist with the Kent Messenger group of newspapers, where he acted as Group Business Editor and sub-editor when the company’s daily evening paper was launched, before moving into the television industry. He established International Television and Media Consulting Ltd in 1998 and continues to work with television and media organisations in the UK and across Europe. He was also previously Director General of EuroNews.
David holds a number of non-executive positions and is currently Chairman of international broadcast software company SysMedia and is on the Board of the European public service broadcasting organisation, Circom Regional, where he previously held the role of President.
He is Honorary Secretary and Fellow of the Royal Television Society, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
With a degree in economics from Cambridge University, David is an Honorary Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and former Chairman of Emmanuel College alumni.
David is married and has two adult children. He has written two books; one for children on survival in the wild (based on his network ITV series), and another on self-defence for women. In his spare time, he enjoys playing cricket and is a member at York Races.
Professor Susan Price, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, said: “I am delighted that David is joining our University at such an exciting time in our development; we have seen great successes and achievements in the last few years with our quality being confirmed by the national Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), our customer-focused approach being recognised through meeting the Customer Service Excellence (CSE) standard, and our commitment to our colleagues being confirmed through our Investors in People Gold accreditation, making us the only university in the UK to hold both accreditations.
“David brings a vast range of experience to the role of Chair, as well as a strong commitment to our values and role as a key institution in the city of Leeds and I am very much looking forward to working with him.”
David takes up his appointment today, 1 December 2014.