David Lawrence

David is an expert in enabling organisations to be more effective in their sustainability ambitions through collaborating with others. As well as being a Senior Associate with CISL, he is currently Executive Director of AIM-Progress, the 41-company FMCG sector taskforce working collaboratively to improve responsible sourcing practices in their common supply chains.

Biography: David is also a non-executive board member of SEDEX, the ‘not-for-profit’ supplier data exchange organisation and the Council Director of the Responsible Sourcing Council of The Conference Board.

Prior to setting up Sokwe, David worked at Diageo where his responsibilities included creating and then leading their Sustainable Procurement activities globally, as well as managing Procurement Risk & Governance. David brings a practical collaborative approach to balancing the ever-increasing compliance pressures and sustainability opportunities, with the commercial business realities of global supply chains. He is a regular conference speaker and contributor to the debate on sustainable sourcing.

As well as holding an Engineering degree and a Diploma in Management Studies, David completed our Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business, and now helps develop and deliver material for the Postgraduate Certificate and Master's programmes. He is UK based, having previously worked and lived for several years in Africa and is also a keen supporter of wildlife conservation.