He says that most of all, he enjoys being part of a school community that enables young people to achieve more than they believed was possible.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management, is a Governor of a COBIS school and is a Director at Karen Ardley Associates a UK based company specialising in leadership development and coaching.

Most recently he has been working as a leadership consultant; running leadership and coaching programmes in more than 20 international schools during 2019/2020.

He has an MBA in International Educational Leadership and has undertaken a number of school inspections. David recently completed a doctorate in Leadership and Coaching at UCL: Institute of Education.

David is married and has two grown-up daughters who both attended international schools. He is a keen cyclist and musician and plays in a band at his church when time allows.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here? 

I arrived at the beginning of August 2020 to take up the role of Principal at Budapest British International School (BBIS).

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?

Yes, I’ve lived in Singapore, The Netherlands and China.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?

The Buda Hills – wonderful.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?

Other than going to the Baths I’d say head out to the Hills near the airstrip to watch the gliders, take in the beautiful scenery and then find a great restaurant in the evening for some great food.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?

The smokey sausage you can get from the markets.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?

Fresh Vegetables, Humous, Cheese, Fruit

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?

Csodálatos (Chodalatosh)

8. What do you miss most from home?

Friends and Family and the amazing cycle paths in The Netherlands

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

I don’t think I would - I love what I’m doing.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?

I’d never want to do a job that didn’t involve people.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?

Limburg South Holland The Netherlands.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?

Wherever we can go to meet up with my daughters.

13. Apart from temptation, what can't you resist?

Chocolate in the immediate and buying new guitars in the long term.

14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

The favourite band as a teenager was Rush.
The film was The Terminator
Hobby was playing rock music in a band

15. Red wine or white?

None.

16. Book or movie?

My favourite book is a coaching book called the Psychology of Executive Coaching. I used it a lot when writing up my Doctoral Thesis.
Favourite film: Lord of The Rings Trilogy

17. Morning person or night person?

It used to be night, but I think I am more a morning person now.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

Human Trafficking

19. Buda or Pest side?

Buda

20. What would you say is your personal motto?

To make a positive difference in the lives of everyone I know and meet.