David started his career at a shellfish farm on the River Exe in South Devon in the early 1980’s having studied fish farming and fisheries management at Sparsholt Agricultural College, Hampshire. During these 25+ years he has been, and still is, Managing Director of River Exe Shellfish Farms producing Pacific Oysters and Mussels within the fertile waters of the Exe estuary, South Devon.

Having been a member of the association since 1989, a past chairman of the Mollusc Committee, he joined the SAGB Council in 1994. He has also been a Ministerial appointee on Devon Sea Fisheries Committee and has worked extensively with Seafish Industry Authority. David also works as a private consultant.

David is responsible for trade issues and membership outreach and is the point of contact for mollusc matters.