David joined Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) in 2016, and is currently the Manager for Engagement and Support. This broad role enables him to support CHA's work programme, assist colleagues in delivering their priorities, and engage directly with member networks - while supporting individual organisations. Based in Auckland, he's the proud father of three adult children.
Born in the UK in Oxford and raised in Manchester, David's journey began at the University of Warwick, where he met his wife. His working life started in London with a brief period as a car salesperson before dedicating his career to the community housing sector.
During his school years, David developed two passions that would shape his life: playing Lacrosse and taking annual walking holidays to the Lake District. While he no longer plays Lacrosse himself, he's been privileged to work with the NZ Men's national team as they compete in the World Championships held every four years. Walking remains his greatest joy - a "decent walk" in David's book means at least two hours, with New Zealand's Great Walks ranking among his favourites. He also keeps bantam chickens and colleagues know that asking about these interests might unleash an unstoppable flow of enthusiasm!
David's housing career began as a trainee housing officer with the London Borough of Bromley. He spent ten years with the Council during its transformation into Broomleigh Housing Association, through a large-scale voluntary transfer.
For most of this time, he worked in a multi-disciplinary team responsible for 3,000 properties (from a total stock of 12,000). He also helped project manage a youth foyer initiative with a partner organisation - an experience that significantly influenced his future career path.
This role gave David a comprehensive understanding of housing and supported his formal qualification, though he jokes about spending considerable time in the pub with fellow students. Despite his professional education, he maintains that kissing the Blarney Stone in Cork, Ireland has proven more valuable - supposedly endowing him with the "gift of the gab" that has served him well throughout his career.
David relocated to New Zealand with his family in late 2000. Despite telling everyone he was leaving the housing sector, he soon accepted a position with Housing New Zealand as a tenancy manager in Panmure. This experience proved invaluable, teaching him about New Zealand culture, work environments, housing systems, and introducing him to feijoas!
Following what he calls his "apprenticeship" with HNZ, David spent 18 months with the Community Development Group working on COGS and Lottery grants - a great way to connect with front-line community organisations. He then combined his twin passions for community development and housing, as the community development manager for Talbot Park, an early HNZ regeneration project in Glen Innes.
After a brief return to the UK working for St Vincents Housing Association in Manchester, Bolton and Rochdale, David joined Monte Cecilia Housing Trust in Auckland (2006-2015). The organisation's roots in social justice, emergency housing and community housing, aligned perfectly with his values. His role included housing advocacy alongside service provision, leading to frequent media work addressing homelessness and poor boarding-house conditions.
David relishes being a part of CHA and working within the sector's diversity. He observes that each organisation has its own unique personality shaped by location, history, culture, and even physical infrastructure.
He takes pleasure in getting to know these distinct organisational characters, all united in their commitment to delivering more affordable housing.
