Responsibilities
EU Green Capital Expert for Nature and Biodiversity
EU Green Leaf Expert for Biodiversity and Land use
Based in Scotland, David is responsible for managing Edinburgh’s public parks and greenspace network, including the city’s nature reserves, woodlands, allotments, cemeteries and urban forest. As head of Edinburgh’s Parks Service he has secured a number of green accolades for the city, including winner of Britain in Bloom, Entente Florale Gold Medal, Eurocities, COSLA Gold Medal for Service Innovation & Improvement, the UK’s Best Parks, Grounds and Horticultural Service Team award, and Fields in Trusts’ Best UK Landowner.
Having led the development and implementation of Edinburgh’s Nature Conservation Strategy, Urban Forestry Strategy, and Biodiversity Action Plan, he is presently directing the Edinburgh Living Landscape initiative in partnership with local universities, wildlife trust, botanic garden and green space trust. This is an innovative ecosystems approach to urban open space management, bringing nature closer to people’s homes and work-places.
David is also Director and chair of the national charity, greenspace scotland, championing the value of green space to government and other decision-makers. As a chartered ecologist and environmental manager, with degrees from Stirling, Heriot-Watt and Huddersfield universities, his career has ranged across the public, academic and voluntary sectors. In recent years he has also been a director of Volunteer Development Scotland, BTCV Scotland, Oatridge Agricultural College and the Falkirk Environment Trust – promoting volunteering as a means for positive social and environmental change.
As well as being the Expert Panel member for Nature and Biodiversity, David is also a UK-level judge for Britain in Bloom and assessor for Green Flag Award, the two largest green award programmes in Great Britain. This gives him insight into current best practice in green space management, urban ecology, community-driven environmental initiatives, and sustainable development