David is the technical manager at Palethorpes. He was born in Kampala in Uganda and the family returned to the UK in the early seventies, living in Bristol in the late 1960's. He qualified in Food Sciences at Bristol University, started in food manufacturing and then transferred to the technical side of the food industry. He has worked for Dairy Crest, latterly at Crudgington as Group Health and Safety Adviser and Supplier Assurance Auditor, before moving to Palethorpes in 1994. He subsequently gained the Diploma in Management Studies at Nottingham University. David is Chairman of 'Pride in Palethorpes' and with the committee manages the charity budget for the site. This is used to sponsor events for local children, senior people and donations to local charities. David commutes from Shrewsbury.

Palethorpes began in Tipton in 1852 and moved to the town in 1967. They originally made sausages, but now manufacture a wide range of chilled savoury foods including sausage rolls, pies, pasties and slices. It is part of Northern Foods, and make own label products for a major retailer during 7 day production. Palethorpes employ 950 people of whom 85% live locally.