David was Managing Director of UK Countrylife from 2000 until 2005. During his tenure he established a database of 1600 customers with an average weekly customer order book of 130.

Through UK Countrylife Ltd he worked to reconnect farmers and producers to consumers with the aim of promoting local and regional food and encouraging farming in an environmentally responsible way. This was marketed using both internet and paper based methods.

In 2002, David was honoured to be invited to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair to talk about the future of British farming where he took the chance to explain how support from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has enabled UK Countrylife to launch two pioneering enterprises, Farmshop Home Delivery and Farmshop Specials, which were supporting rural businesses, creating jobs and helping the environment.

More recently, David met celebrity chef Jamie Oliver at the BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards ceremony where Farmshop were honoured to be short listed in the Best Local Food Retailer section.

David was also delighted to meet HRH Prince Charles at an event in the Peak District National Park to promote organic farming and locally-sourced products. David explained the work UK Countrylife is doing to re-connect farmers to consumers, to promote regional food and to encourage responsible food production. His Royal Highness proved very interested to hear about UKC's ventures, and other worthwhile rural projects. Prince Charles made the visit as President of Business in the Community, who arranged the event.
(picture © www.paulpickard.com)

UK Countrylife were named NFU Countryside Small Business of the Year 2003, IGD Outstanding Small Business 2004, were hghly recommended for the BBC Good Food Awards and highly commended in the Farm Business Food Chain Marketing Award 2004.

David was named the Farm Business Progressive Farmer of the Year in 2003.