When Jamie Ratcliffe said he was moving on as the EY UK Indirect Tax Leader in late 2023 whoever was going to take the role had large shoes to fill but once it was announced David would be the new UK Indirect Tax Leader the atmosphere in the office went from uncertainty and the unknown to one of hope and excitement. As all great leaders David started off his tenure with no wholesale changes but going about his plan and the direction he was taking the practice in a thoughtful and diligent manner which would ensure that he could take us all on this journey with people right at the middle of it.  

David joined EY (June 2018) about 8 months after I joined in October 2017 and when he first joined I worked on one of David’s accounts and I still remember after one client meeting he personally thanked me after the meeting as it went well and the client was really happy with meeting and the technology we delivered. I knew from this project that David was a great role model and somebody I could learn a lot from especially his people skills. Pre-covid, David and I would often arrive at the office at a similar time, I was coming in from Ealing on the Central/Jubilee line and he would be coming in on the District line and he would always let me know how lucky I was that the tube lines I used weren’t as bad as the one he used as it was always delayed the words he used are too rude for me to repeat here but I would always laugh that a partner would swear like that. 

As years went by David and I haven’t worked that closely together but he would always say hello/morning to me in the office and our chats now would revolve around football. In April 2024 when Villa beat Arsenal we spoke in the office soon after and he was so smug how his team had dented my team’s (Arsenal) chances of winning the league. At the end of August 2024 when Arsenal beat Villa at Villa Park I was quick to remind him as soon as I could but he was just so happy that Villa would be playing in the champions league this season. I am going to miss our footy chats.

My condolences go out to his wife Lucy, the kids and family/friends may you all find strength in these difficult times. RIP David, you will be greatly missed at EY!