A law graduate, I worked for The Times in the early 1980s, then in advertising and marketing consultancy, before becoming Marketing Director of Swiss Life. I progressed to Royal London eventually becoming Chief Executive of Scottish Life International. David led a management buyout of the company which became RL360 and the Group is now known as IFG, encompassing RL360, Friends Provident International, Ardan and IFG Pensions. I retired in May 2025 and remain a consultant to the Group as well as Chair of IFG’s DIFC subsidiary in the UAE.
What are your career highlights?
Leading the management buyout of RL360, turning it into IFG with over £20bn aum. Growing the company to become the market leader it is today. Surviving two rounds of investment by private equity and living to tell the tale! Retiring on my own terms.
What has been your greatest challenge?
Getting acquisitions over the line, creating a large-scale business and keeping the small business mentality.
How do you relax?
I have always found it relatively easy to leave work pressures behind when on holiday or away.
Skiing, reading books, golf, cycling, Sudoku, the dogs, sailing in Dorset, reading the newspapers, Twickenham (with friends), Wordle, Only Connect (on BBC2) The Oval (with friends), going to the pub (with friends). Plenty to do!
The key is to do whatever it is with family or friends.
What do you think has been the most significant industry change of the last 5 years? Growth and importance of technology, changing attitudes to, and expectations of, governance. The need to have scale and substance – whether product provider or adviser.
