David is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He is also a RICS and CIArb accredited mediator.  

David has 40 years' experience in dealing with complex issues involved in developments that combine transport, property and investment, with a strong record of successfully advising on major schemes. He began his career in local government but has predominantly worked in private practice, firstly as a commercial agent and since founding Baker Rose in 1991, as a specialist consultant and commercial negotiator. He advises on a wide range of transport, property and business issues, including the use of compulsory purchase powers and developing NSIP DCO schemes.  

David has a strong focus on the viability and deliverability of projects, ranging from developing strategic visions, establishing needs cases (particularly on logistics and transport schemes), master planning input and negotiating agreements with a range of different stakeholders, with and without the use of compulsory purchase powers.  

He has extensive experience acting for commercial parties affected by compulsory purchase orders on major projects, as well as advising acquiring authorities in sensitive cases. Clients primarily comprise promoters of substantial developments (commercial and residential), funds and corporate occupiers, the latter including manufacturers and recycling businesses.

David is a Board Director of the Compulsory Purchase Association (elected 2022). He chairs the CPA’s Working Groups on Affected Parties’ Interests and on Mental Health. He is working closely with CPA members across the professions and representing all the interests involved in the sector. This continues his well-established interest in compulsory purchase powers becoming quicker, simpler and fairer – for everyone’s benefit.