David advised a number of international airlines while he was a commercial partner at a major law firm. After some years as chair of that firm, he quit law in 2004 to follow a career in corporate governance. Since then, David has been a director of a number of large businesses, including NZX listed, and was chair of Christchurch International Airport for nine years to 2017. He is also a professionally qualified pilot, familiar with air transport category aircraft operations.