David Bean Dot Org

David hails from the proud old mill town of Blairgowrie, Perthshire. The son of a British Gas and North Sea engineer, he was educated at his local primary school and then in Dundee, before crossing the Tay to continue his studies here in St Andrews. Aside from his degree in International Relations and Philosophy, he played a central role in the life of the town. This led to his election to a position within the student body that allowed him to devote himself fully to the community, as its first ever Director of Student Development and Activities. His passion for volunteerism brought him to lead it in a massive, lasting expansion, including the re-fashioning of the St Andrews Voluntary Service (SVS) and the introduction of the Millennium Volunteer Awards scheme, allowing students to achieve recognition for their efforts in the community while boosting their career prospects.

Immediately afterwards he moved to Manchester to join the Co-operative Group, the world’s largest consumer co-operative and one of its foremost ethical businesses, working as a project manager and recruiter of talent. There he oversaw the introduction of a new employer brand to attract and retain the very best to this unique business, including an innovative toolkit helping its people live its co-operative values. He once again sought opportunities to better his community, playing an active part in an employee-run charitable fund, serving with his local residents’ association and standing for Manchester City Council on behalf of the Conservative Party. Now returning to his beloved St Andrews to pursue a Masters degree, he fully intends once more to throw himself into the life of this most vibrant of all communities.