“I hope that students will say the Ebsworth scholarship allowed them to focus on studies as well as experience new things.”

Maximising every opportunity

When David arrived at Stag Hill to study BSc Chemistry and German in 1972 it was, he recalls, “a very different place indeed. There were only 3,000 students and lecturers and it was a building site. I remember being woken in the morning either by the bells of the cathedral or the pile drivers constructing Wates House. I made sure I maximised my time - there was a very good SU, a couple of good bars, I played rugby and joined the drama society.”

Born in Nigeria, living in Germany and Singapore before moving to England at the age of 11, David recognised early on the value of an international outlook. Surrey, with its growing campus, focus on workplace readiness, and opportunities beyond the lecture theatre, gave him the chance to build on that background.

However, David is clear that opportunity often emerges from the things that don’t go to plan. As an undergraduate, a “sandwich year” (today called a Professional Training Year, or PTY) at Bayer in Germany showed him that a life spent in chemistry labs wasn’t for him, but that cross‑cultural working was. That realisation led him to embark on a PhD in Comparative Industrial Relations, also at Surrey.

Maximising opportunities has been at the core of David’s career success too. A graduate job at Pfizer set him on a rapid trajectory to leadership roles in major pharmaceutical companies across four continents, facilitating breakthroughs in treatments that have improved thousands of lives worldwide. In April 2026, David was invited back to Surrey to receive an Honorary Degree in recognition of his career and its global impact.

Giving back to Surrey

The value that David gained from his Surrey experience also motivates his continued engagement and a desire to “give back” as a mentor, Visiting Professor and donor – helping today’s students to make the most of their own time at Surrey. “Mentoring and teaching can be just as important as financial donations,” he reflects. “Indeed, time is the most precious resource we have.”

Over 15 years, David’s scholarship support has spanned German Language and Biosciences. His current scholarship provides financial support to students undertaking an Overseas Professional Training Year, enabling them to build confidence and life skills through cross‑cultural work experience that has been at the heart of his own career.

For David, one story in particular stands out: that of the first Ebsworth Scholar, Rachel Wright, awarded in 2012. Rachel returned to Surrey to give the citation at David’s Honorary Graduation, where she attested that the scholarship eased financial pressures, allowed her to focus on her studies and opportunities at Surrey (including rugby, just like David), and helped lay the foundations for her career at PwC UK. 

Stories like Rachel’s have reinforced for David how powerful scholarships can be, and he has very generously included a gift to Surrey in his will to continue his Overseas PTY Scholarship.

“I hope that students will say the Ebsworth scholarship allowed them to experience university with less worry and more ability to focus on studies as well as experience new things. Students should dare to try lots of things at university, and keep what works for them. If you have the guts and determination to do that, you'd be amazed at what you can achieve.” 

David's message to fellow alumni is simple: “Current students need support and even a little can help. If in doubt, make a donation and see what impact it has.”

If you would like to find out more about leaving a gift in your will, please take a look at our website.