He went to college in Cardiff and graduated from the University of Wales with a first class degree in Applied Life Sciences in 1986. Dave spent six years pursuing a career in medical research and gained a PhD from the University of Wales, College of Medicine in 2002. During that time he published a number of papers in peer reviewed medical journals and presented his work at various UK and international venues.

Dave moved from research in 1992 to take up a Policy Officer role in the Welsh Health Services Secretariat, a body that supported the work of Chairmen and Chief Executives of NHS bodies in Wales. In 1994 Dave joined District Audit as a Value for Money specialist, and held various roles within District Audit and the Audit Commission in Wales before transferring to the Wales Audit Office when it was created in 2005.  

He was appointed to the role of Director of Health & Social Care in 2008 and is currently the Director with responsibility for the NHS Performance Audit team, and the Performance Development and Guidance function. He is also the engagement lead for our liaison work with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales.

Dave lives in Cardiff with his partner and their three children. Outside of work he sits as a magistrate and when time and money allows he enjoys travelling, cooking, gardening and watching sport.