Sir David was educated at Eton and joined the Army in 1954 for National Service where he was commissioned.
Afterwards he travelled the world for two years working in agriculture in Australia and New Zealand and in banking in South Africa. He joined C. Hoare & Co. in 1959 and was a Managing Partner from 1964-1988, Deputy Chairman from 1988-2001 and Chairman from 2001-2006.
He has owned and run the Luscombe Estate in South Devon since taking over from his father in 1959 and has now handed this over to his son Simon.
