David started his undergraduate studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT). This has led to several qualifications including a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Chemistry in the United States as a Fulbright Scholar. He joins Wits Business School from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) where he has been employed since 2020. At CPUT David held the portfolio of Deputy-Vice Chancellor responsible for Research, Technology Innovation, Postgraduate Studies, Partnerships, and Internationalization.
Before that, David held several positions at Sasol’s Research and Development Division. He left Sasol to become Chief ExecutiveOfficer of Tshumisano Trust, a Department of Science and Technology Entity to improve the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME's) in areas such as automotive components manufacturing, agriculture and chemicals with 18 technology transfer centers at 11 South African universities.
David returned to Sasol in 2011 where he held several positions of increased seniority until the end of 2019 when he left to join CPUT.
David’s research interests are sustainability, energy, innovation, technology transfer, and adoption.
Professionally, David has sat on the Boards of Foskor (Pty) Ltd and Pikitup Johannesburg (Pty) Ltd amongst others as an Independent, Non-Executive Director. He also served as Chair of the Vaal University of Technology Council for five years.