David Hughes became the Chief Executive of NIACE in September 2011, after 11 years of working in the further education funding agencies, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). At the SFA he was the Provider Services Director with national responsibility for all of the funding relationships with colleges and training organisations, ensuring that high quality skills and training are delivered across the country.

At the LSC David held a variety of senior roles in the East Midlands and nationally including working in a troubleshooting capacity.

Before joining the LSC in 2000, David worked in the voluntary sector both in the UK and Australia in areas including co-operative housing, social enterprise, regeneration and adult education.