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Fifty-eight-year-old David from Merseyside has always been ambitious. This determination to keep learning and developing led him to join the Civil Service in 2023, after recovering from a brain tumour.
Having enjoyed a successful career in sales, David came across a role at The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) while browsing the Rest Less website. DCMS supports the culture, arts, media, sport, tourism, and charity sectors throughout the UK and aims to enrich people’s everyday lives.
We spoke to David about his fascinating career journey, his experience of joining DCMS, and what he’d say to anyone considering a career change later in life.
Life before DCMS
David at the VisitBritain offices in London
Born in Tranmere, Merseyside, David moved to London to study Business Management at university in 1986, after which, he enjoyed a successful 38-year sales career at an internationally renowned technology company.
Working his way up, David became European Security Channel Sales and Support Manager in 2014, and was responsible for overseeing nearly 1,300 business partners globally – from huge multinational companies to far smaller organisations.
He proudly recalls, “I ran the whole show across Europe, and other parts of the world too, for security software. I was very good at it – I was their number one European presenter for a long time.”
Passionate about travel, David was also lucky that his roles took him around the world. Smiling, he says, “I got to go to Hong Kong, Samoa, the States a lot, Europe a lot, and all around the country a lot, presenting.” One of his particular highlights was cycling Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas.
Summing up his time in sales, David says, “The main fun was travelling everywhere, meeting new people, new partners, and winning.”
“It was the largest brain tumour the hospital in London had ever seen”
Sadly, David’s life took a sudden turn in March 2020 when he was diagnosed with a benign meningioma brain tumour. Having not felt himself for a while, David had initially put his symptoms down to work-related stress. But, after having a seizure and becoming increasingly forgetful, it became clear that something else was going on.
David says, “It was the largest brain tumour the hospital in London had ever seen. In fact, they rang my parents and said we don’t think he’ll make it.
“I felt devastated, annoyed, and angry. Afterwards, I found out that due to the tumour’s size (approximately that of a large grapefruit), my chances of survival had been very low.”
In April 2020, David underwent an intensive 17-hour operation during which his surgeon was able to remove the tumour. However, due to complications, he had a further nine-hour surgery and ultimately spent almost five months in hospital.
He says, “I feel incredibly thankful to the NHS and the staff at St George’s and St Mary’s hospitals. I’m so grateful to still be here!”
David was told that his recovery could take up to five years, or possibly even longer. During this time, he moved up north to the village of Port Sunlight in the Wirral, and spent time refurbishing his new home. Though, thankfully, it wasn’t long before he felt ready to return to work and accept a new challenge.
Reflecting on this period, David says, “After about two years in recovery; double-glazing the house, changing the flooring, putting wardrobes in, and building up the hi-fi, I got bored.
“One day, I was browsing Rest Less – looking around out of curiosity as much as anything – and came across a role as National Business Events Policy Advisor at the Department for Culture Media & Sport.
“I thought, I’ve run business events, in fact, I’ve written and planned business events and presented at them across Europe for over 20 years. So I went for it! It was a complete career change and I wasn’t expecting to get the role, but here I am!”
“My team are excellent – they’ve made me feel very welcome”
David with Hanna Ostling from DCMS and the founder of the IMEX show in Frankfurt
DCMS aims to create job opportunities UK-wide through various cultural initiatives and community projects. This includes everything from supporting local museums, theatres, and charities to building sports pitches and youth facilities.
As part of his role, David is responsible for running the Business Events Growth Programme, which funds organisations to host business events across the UK.
Despite working in a non-commercial role for the first time and sometimes struggling to adjust his entrepreneurial spirit to life as a civil servant, David realised he had plenty of transferable skills.
He’s been able to use his years of experience pitching to clients, writing compelling briefs, and building relationships to thrive in his advisory role at DCMS. In fact, after leading a recent presentation, his boss commented on his excellent presentation skills. David says, “I did it for over 30 years, I should be good!”
At 58-years-old, David is also the oldest in his team, but explains that he’s never been made to feel that way: “My team is excellent. They’ve made me feel very welcome and are very sociable – they’re all lovely people.”
“I think the Civil Service is a great choice for anyone considering a career change over 50 – they’re highly inclusive.”
“The team are really flexible, which has been important for me post-recovery”
David with Kerrin MacPhie (CEO of the Meetings Industry Association) and Emily Pitts from DCMS at a meeting in Wales
After spending much of his career in high-pressure roles, David has welcomed his new and improved work-life balance at DCMS. The company offers a scheme to accommodate any additional needs employees have.
David says, “It’s very good – the working hours are officially 10 till four and the team are really flexible, which has been important for me post-recovery. For example, I go into the Manchester office just twice a month. This is particularly valuable as the medication I’m on can leave me feeling very tired. They also offer bigger monitors, better desks, and more comfortable chairs.”
Working remotely also means David can spend more time with his rescue dog; an American Eskimo called Roxy who he adopted from Romania four years ago. “She was feral when we got her, but now she’s quite good. Her real name is Roxy, but I call her Muttley after Dastardly and Muttley. I’m Dastardly. She’s Muttley!”
“We have a lot of life experience and it's a shame not to use it for Britain's benefit. So, go out there and grab the opportunity!”
David with Chris Skeith OBE (left) and Michael Hirst OBE (right) in the National Scotland Museum
As the oldest member of his team, David believes his life experience has allowed him to bring a fresh perspective to DCMS and build great relationships with his stakeholders. So, he’s keen to encourage anyone else considering a later-life career change to go for it. He says, “[As over-50s], we have a lot of life experience and it’s a shame not to use it for Britain’s benefit. So, go out there and grab the opportunity!”
If you’d like to learn more about working for DCMS and what to expect when applying for a job in the Civil Service, take a look at our guide. Alternatively, you can search for roles using the button below.
Have you been inspired by David’s story? Are you considering a career change in later life? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.