David Walter

After reading politics, philosophy and economics at Oxford University, David joined Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co in London as an articled clerk in 1970, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1973.

For the next ten years he worked mainly in London but with a two year spell in New York providing the whole range of professional accounting services - accounting, auditing, tax, corporate finance, M&A support and insolvency. David also ran the firm's training programme for two years in the early eighties, which led to responsibility for delivering senior management training for about ten years - as a "part time" activity!

In 1984 he became a partner and opened a new office in Maidstone, which had a staff of 125 by 1989. David also spent time with responsibility for human resources in the south region; running the Cambridge office; heading up UK marketing in London; and working with large multinational listed companies when the company had become known as KPMG.

Life outside of work

David is now retired and enjoy his travels, including annual trips to New Zealand and other countries around the world. He has been married for over 40 years and has two grown up sons. David has a great love of all sports and plays golf badly - but still well enough to beat Holiday Extras' founder, Gerry, sometimes.

What's your perfect hassle-free holiday?

My perfect hassle-free holiday is sitting on my deck overlooking the Hauraki Gulf with (perhaps) a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Insipration

I am inspired by people and the ability of some to drive themselves towards perfection in their chosen field whether it be sports, the arts or business.