Business leader who has made huge contributions to Portsmouth – from Football Club to University
Former Chair of the University’s Board of Governors, David Willan is Portsmouth through and through. Born in Gosport, he is proud of his Hampshire roots and strong connections with the city.
Professionally, he worked as a marketing consultant for many years for clients in sectors such as technology, telecommunications and financial services.
He’s set up, developed, led and subsequently sold businesses that specialised in research, planning and strategy consulting. One of these, BPRI, was awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise and was subsequently sold to WPP, the world’s largest advertising group.
At the University of Portsmouth, David chairs the Revolution Plastics Advisory Council. He served as governor of the University for nine years, including three years as Deputy Chair and nearly three years as Chair of the Board of Governors.
During his term of office he helped navigate the University through unprecedented challenges such as Covid, the impact of Brexit, the effects of a long term freeze in tuition fees and government restrictions on overseas students.
A life-long Pompey fan, President and former director of Portsmouth Football Club, David was instrumental in connecting the Club with the University and helping to build the partnership that is so important to the city and the wider community.
