As a student David co-founded “The Associate of Jewish Sixth Formers”, subsequently working for BIPAC The Britain/Israel Public Affairs Committee. David started his career at the House of Commons working for a member of the UK Parliament. He swapped the cut and thrust politics for the cut and thrust of advertising. Joining Bates Dorland, he became main board director for strategy and Managing Director of the consulting and digital divisions and CEO of the worldwide retail and technology centre of excellence. David joined Kingfisher’s B&Q plc, one of Europe’s largest retailers sitting on the main board of directors as UK and International Marketing Director. David was on the management team that led B&Q’s international expansion to Eastern Europe and Asia including China where he still spends much time.
Whilst at kingfisher David was also CEO of Kingfisher Challenges running the World Record Sponsorship of Ellen MacArthur’s successful bid for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe. This was recognised globally as the most effective sports sponsorship for which David was awarded Sports Sponsored personality of the year. The first non-sportsperson ever to be the recipient.
David is now at WPP as the CEO of The Store WPP Global Retail Practice and Chairman of BAV. David is an acknowledged expert in Branding and Consumer change in China. He is a leading authority on digital and Artificial Intelligence in retail.
David has authored a number of books and studies, including “A History of Retail in 100 Objects”; “The Third Era of Digital Retailing”; “Smart Shopping – How Artificial Intelligence is transforming the retail conversation”; “Retailing to the customer of one. How mass customisation and IoT makes the personal possible and profitable”; “The Thoughts of Chairmen Now: Wisdom and Insights from China’s Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs”; “The China Dream”; “Brand Stories” celebrating the enduring power of iconic brands. “Do you hear what I hear” Why brands have a crucial role to play in our voice-activated digital future; Dates with Destiny – How brands can win consumers and sales at China’s shopping mega-festivals. His latest book “LOOK – A Book of Changes” is a pictorial reflection of China over the past 10 years. David also anchored 8 days of live broadcasting during the 2021 Alibaba 11:11 Global Shopping Festival. Where he interviewed retail leaders, thought leaders, analysts.
David is also the author and presenter of a number of documentary films on “Changing China”, “ Open Sesame – the Birth and Rise of Alibaba” and a landmark series of interviews with Global Retail leaders from across the world.
He broadcasts and lectures around the world, including at the World Economic Forum at Davos, BBC, CCTV China, CNBC, Yale, CKGSB, and Cambridge Universities.
David is a former non-executive director of the NGO, “TFT”, an organisation dedicated to sustainable production. He is Chairman of the Centre for International Business and Management (CIBAM) where Academics, Business and Policy Makers meet with activities taking place at Queens’ College, University of Cambridge. He is also a board member of China-Britain Business Council and a non-executive director of VSBLY Technology Group a specialist in computer vision, AI analytics.
Twitter: davidrothlondon
Blog: davidroth.com