David was born in Amsterdam to a Dutch father and English mother. His family moved to the UK in 1954 and he became a British Citizen shortly afterwards. David was educated in Buckinghamshire and Middlesex.

He first became interested in politics back in the 60’s and joined the Young Conservatives in Amersham where he met his wife Anne. They now have three daughters and nine grandchildren.

David started his working life with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines at Heathrow where he developed good management and business skills. He then transferred to East Midlands Airport back in the 80’s to initiate the first nocturnal air cargo operation into mainland Europe. This concept still continues today with EMA being one of the most successful and busiest cargo hubs in the UK. David founded my own shipping and forwarding company based at EMA which ran successfully for 30 years until he retired.

He became a member of Etwall Parish Council and subsequently Chairman. David's interest in local issues led to him being asked to stand as the Conservative candidate for the Etwall Ward of the District Council, which he won in 2015 and again in 2019.

David is now also an executive member of the South Derbyshire Conservative Association and has gained valuable experience from my fellow members and local MP Heather Wheeler.

He is currently Chairman of South Derbyshire District Council, a role he has very much enjoyed, representing all the people of South Derbyshire.

David has a long standing interest in special education and is a Trustee of the Royal School for the Deaf Derby. His involvement goes back some 40 years to when his profoundly deaf eldest daughter attended the school. University followed for her and she is now a well-known ambassador for the deaf in and around Derbyshire.

David's other interests include travel which is handy having a daughter, son in law and three grandchildren living on the Gold Coast of Australia. A trip he makes regularly when time and circumstance permit.

He feels it an honour to have been selected to stand as the Conservative candidate for the Melbourne Division in the forthcoming County Council elections.  David looks forward, if elected, to following in the footsteps and legacy left by Cllr Linda Chilton after her retirement.