David Barker

David has been a Governor at MGS since 2018, the latest incumbent of a long-standing relationship with the University of Manchester, where David is Director of Compliance and Risk. He sits on the schools Health & Safety Committee. David is a biologist by training and, after a PhD at Birmingham University/Marine Biological Association of the UK, he joined the General Management Programme of the then North West Water. He worked as part of the planning team for the merger of NWW/Norweb to form United Utilities. Following a period of time in the Philippines, as part of a small team seconded to the newly-created Manila Water, David moved to the University of Manchester in 1999, initially combining his biological and business experience in a Development role in Life Sciences, but soon taking on senior line management roles, becoming actively involved in the largest successful merger in the UK Higher Education sector. David was one of four Directors of Faculty Administration in the newly-created University of Manchester. In his current role as Director of Compliance and Risk, David is a senior general manager and problem solver, with teams covering areas such as: Risk management; Information Security; Insurance; Safety (inc. radiation); Export Controls and wider regulatory matters. Although schooled by the competition (Kings Macclesfield), he is committed to the ethos and values of MGS. David is also a Co-opted member of Manchester City Councils Audit Committee.