David leverages over 30 years of experience in international business with MNCs, entrepreneurial ventures, governments and diplomatic service (accredited to over 40 APAC countries) assisting governments and corporates across multiple sectors on strategy, risk, governance, investment, trade and supply chains, JVs and partnerships and corporate culture.
David provides global strategy, governance, risk and advisory support to clients in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and other countries as needed while also spearheading strategic business development and providing marketing support. He caters to a portfolio of specialized Asia Pacific- and Middle East-focused business interests, using his international executive leadership experience across the private and public sectors, as well as utilizing his experience in diplomatic service.
Prior to joining Kroll, David was a Senior Executive and Regional Managing Director at BHP Billiton (BHP), a global mining and energy multinational corporation, with deep experience across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, especially India and ASEAN. He was recruited from BHP by Australia’s Prime Minister and Minister for Trade as Australia’s most senior commercial diplomat in Asia Pacific (Deputy Secretary / Executive Director), specifically for multinational strategic leadership and governance experience, networks and knowledge of key markets, and experience in industries and companies across Asia Pacific, to build closer strategic trade and investment links between Australia and its priority Asia Pacific trading relationships. Based in Singapore, he served in this role for 9 years.
David has also led several strategic initiatives at the intersection of International Development and Trade and Investment promotion and facilitation, as well as at the Trade-Aid and “Aid for Trade” interfaces, especially Pacific Island Countries and Southeast Asia. David has also advised governments in relation to trade and investment promotion and facilitation, as well as private sector engagement. He was appointed to lead the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs’ $100 million flagship “aid for trade” program in Southeast Asia. He also advises various Middle East governments.
David has led an advisory and global practice network of over 500 staff. He retained an Australian Government “Top-Secret” security clearance.
David holds a Master of Engineering Studies and a Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) from the University of Queensland. He is Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD), a nomenclature reserved for Australia's top tier of eminent directors and leaders of corporate governance.
