David Southward MBE is a retired civil engineer and Cumbria County Council cabinet member for economic development and property.
Born in Maryport, David was educated at Carlisle Grammar School and Imperial College, London. As a chartered civil engineer he worked in Australia, Romania and in London where he contributed to the design of UK nuclear power stations. In 1980 David joined BNFL at Sellafield as a Construction Manager and over 26 years supervised many significant projects predominantly in the Active Area.
David has represented Egremont on the county council for over twenty years and in 2013 was appointed to the cabinet with responsibility for economic development and property. His portfolio embraces the visitor economy and nuclear matters. His council responsibilities and appointments include chair of the Connecting Cumbria Partnership Board, chair of the Nuclear Issues Working Group, member of the West Cumbria Site Stakeholder Group, member of the Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum, the Port of Workington, director of Britain’s Energy Coast, director of Carlisle Enterprise Zone, member of Copeland Community Fund, director of Cumbria Tourism, member of Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, member of the Industrial Communities Alliance, member of the Investment Panel of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and governor of West Lakes Academy. In a private capacity David is a director of the Whitehaven Foyer and treasurer of St John’s Church, Beckermet.
David lives in Beckermet and is married with three adult children. His interests include hill walking, photography, foreign languages and international travel.