David Allen

Biography

I have spent my career in the voluntary sector – initially undertaking research on disability and employment, then in adult employment rehabilitation, education and training support services.  I worked as a Regional Services Manager for RNIB in the North of England, before operating at a national level for in England and Northern Ireland.  I developed RNIB’s UK-wide “Prevention of Blindness” strategies for five years, setting up a European advocacy group to engage with Brussels, before being appointed as CEO for the UK Faculty of Public Health (the UK’s professional body for public health and a Faculty of the three Royal Colleges of Physicians).  This role included developing and helping deliver the Global Health Strategy, presenting internationally.  After five years of working in London, I moved to Cumbria as CEO of Cumbria CVS, a local infrastructure charity, initially also working as a Non-Executive Director for North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust during the Covid-19 pandemic.

I am thrilled to be appointed as an Associate Director for the University of Cumbria and look forward to re-engaging in the world of education and employment.  I hope my voluntary sector, health and disability experience will prove helpful and am excited to learn from and share experiences with colleagues and partners.