David Holmes CBE, CEO, Family Action (Chair of trustees)

David has senior leadership experience in services for children and families in the voluntary sector, local government and central government, and was Chief Executive of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering for 7 years from 2006 to 2013. He became Chief Executive of Family Action in March 2013. 

Before moving to local government as a Deputy Director of Children's Services, David directed the Child Protection, Adoption and Children’s Trusts divisions in the Department of Health and then the Looked After Children division in the Department for Education and Skills. He began his career as a solicitor in private practice and then worked for several years in NHS management.

David was a member of the Government's Expert Working Groups on Child Protection and the Internet, on the Future of the Care Population, on Private Fostering and on Adoption. He has also served as an Adviser to the Local Government Association on Children's Services

David is currently a member of the Advisory Group to the Children’s Commissioner for England. He is also currently Chair of Children England and Chair of Naomi House (a children's hospice group). He is a former Chair of the End Child Poverty coalition, the Connaught Group of children's charities and the Alliance for Children in Care.

David was awarded a CBE for Services to Children and Families in the New Year Honours 2014. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Founding Fellow of the Society of Leadership Fellows at the College of St. George, Windsor Castle and a Member of the E3M Social Enterprise Leaders Business Club.

He won CEO of the Year at the HR Distinction Awards 2016.