Dave started in Post-16 education in 1981 in Rotherham at Thomas Rotherham College, moving to Barnsley College in 1985. He then moved to Doncaster College in 1989 and back to Barnsley College in 1991. Dave spent his formative years in FE as a lecturer in Computing.

On moving into FE management Dave has taken responsibility of a wide range of areas in the mainstream curriculum and other areas including the Learning Resource Centre service, Information Learning Technology, Work Based Learning, Community Learning and Management Information Services.

Dave has 20 years’ experience as a manager in FE, the last 10 as a member of the Barnsley College Senior Management Team. Over the last eight years the college has transformed from a 'satisfactory provider in recovery' (2003 Ofsted) to 'outstanding' (2010 Ofsted).

In the role of Vice Principal Dave is performance manage for ten vocational departments and is strategically responsible for all aspects of Adult Learning, Work-Based Learning and Essential Skills.