David has a wide experience of sport and recreation having worked at a local to international level across numerous sports and across government, public, private and voluntary sectors. An advocate for how sport, recreation and physical activity can significantly improve individuals lives and health. David was the youngest chair of an Olympic and Paralympic governing body and worked extensively internationally to see Paracanoeing become a Paralympic sport.
David passionately believes that all in our community should be healthy enough to take an active part in their community. Employment gives each of us a self-worth and a value in ourselves and our place within our community. That employment depends on a level of good physical and mental health, plus the skills and access to life-long learning. To those who face the greatest inequalities in our community, their often lack of skills and poor levels of health often means little or low paid employment. This damages not just those individuals but all of us. For economic prosperity for us all we need to solve this link between poor health and low level of skills and employment.
