David Gage MBE DL was a member of the Staffordshire University Board of Governors for 10 years, including Chair for the final 4 years of his tenure.
David joined the Board of Governors in 2009, was appointed Deputy Chair in 2011 and Chair in 2015 until he stepped down in 2019. He was the founder-Chair of the University’s Development Board, established in 2012 to build the University’s relationships with alumni, friends and patrons and to raise money to enhance student aspirations, improve life opportunities and widen participation in higher education.
During his time on the Board the University achieved exceptional success in all UK university league tables. The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 shortlisted Staffordshire for their University of the Year award in recognition of finishing in the highest ever position for the third year running. And the University has been awarded a Gold rating under the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment; this top rating reflects “consistently outstanding teaching of the highest quality found in the UK Higher Education sector”.
David was appointed Her Majesty The Queen’s Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire in 2014 and awarded an MBE in Her Majesty’s 2016 Birthday Honours for services to business and higher education.
Prior to joining the University, David spent a career in banking and financial services. He served in the London Head Office of NatWest Bank PLC and held various regional roles, including Regional Head of Lending and Corporate Banking Director. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. He was a Director of The Stafford Railway Building Society from 2007 to 2017 serving both as Deputy Chair and Chair of the Board.
David is a member of Lichfield Cathedral Council as well as their Investment Committee. He has previously served as Chair of Lichfield City Centre Partnership, founder-Chair of the North Staffordshire Risk Capital Fund PLC, a ground-breaking initiative to provide unsecured loans and mentoring for starter and growing businesses, Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Friends of Staffordshire and West Midlands (North) Army Cadet Force Trust, Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of Staffordshire Yeomanry Museum, Chair of Fundraising for Berryhill Retirement Village and Council member of the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce.
The Award of Honorary Doctor of Staffordshire University is bestowed upon David in recognition of his tireless commitment to Staffordshire University. As Chair of the Board of Governors, he played a crucial role in driving positive change and shaping our long-term strategy. He also influenced higher education governance at a national level through his membership of the Committee of University Chairs and the Office for Students’ Financial Sustainability Strategy Group.
The award also acknowledges the ways in which he helped transform the lives of students during his tenure as Chair of the University’s Development Board. In addition to bringing together key supporters of the University, he has been instrumental in devising our fundraising strategy and instilling a culture of philanthropic giving – elements that have proved essential in offering funding and assistance for students, enabling them to access higher education and realise their true potential.