David Wood is a British Investor; Award-winning Musician and Businessman; Lancaster University Honorary Teaching Fellow; and University of Central Lancashire Leader in Residence.
David holds the post-nominal letters: HonDMus HonsFDip FRSA DipMusTh AMusLCM and is known at Lancaster University as Dr. David Wood, after receiving a Doctor of Music Honoris Causa Degree in 2023. He became the eleventh recipient of this honorary award, since the formation of Lancaster University in 1964, and joined fellow past recipients: Sir Arthur Bliss; Sir Michael Tippett; Sir John Manduell; Sir Edward Downes; Sir Simon Towneley; Dr. Yan Pascal Tortelier; Dame Janet Baker; Dr. Witold Lutoslawski; Professor Edward Gregson and music patron, Princess Alexandra.
David is a passionate supporter of music and the arts. He is a Patron of The Halle Orchestra; Friend of Help Musicians and Music Minds Matter; Friend of the Royal College of Music; Member of the Royal Northern College of Music; Member of the British Film Institute; Member of Lancaster Footlights; Member of the National Association of Music Merchants; Member of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce; Friend of the Independent Society of Musicians Trust; and Box4Kids Charity Hosts.
David has a multipotentialite entrepreneurial approach to business and has spent his entire business life working in the areas of music, media, entertainment, technology, intellectual property, manufacturing and retail. Through over forty years of experience and a lifetime of study, he has accumulated an in-depth tacit and explicit knowledge of the industries he operates in.
His business activities currently include: Y1 Investments (where he owns a stake in 353 enterprises around the world); dwIP (where he owns 12 UK trademarks); and he is founder, CEO and sole-shareholder of the award-winning music business Promenade Music (who own “one of the largest and best stocked music shops in the north of England”); and a co-founder, director and shareholder of Faith & Hope Records (who the Manchester Evening News once described as “the most successful label in the city” and who went on to have a string of UK charts hits – including a UK number 1 – and have had their music on major Hollywood films, the adverts of world leading brands, and television programmes globally).
Below is in-depth information about David’s (1) Y1 Investments; (2) dwIP Intellectual Property; (3) Faith & Hope Records; (4) Promenade Music; (5) Accolades and Awards; (6) Continuing Educational; (7) Core Skills Through Experience; (8) Community Activities; (9) Advocate and Campaigner; (10) Support of the Music Sector; (11) Advisory and Trustee Roles; (12) Past Business Activities; (13) Past Mentors; (14) Musical Family; (15) Musical Childhood; (16) Family Background and Childhood; (17) Other Details That May Be Of Relevance; (18) Contact Details.
(1) Y1 Investments
David operates a private investment arm and owns a stake in 377 enterprises around the world. The portfolio broadly fits into one of seventeen sectors.
– Music & Entertainment (Sector 1)
Shareholding in the companies who own: Amazon . BT . fuboTV . Grupo Televisa . ITV . Liberty Media . Netflix . Paramount Global . Pearson . STV . Tegna . Vivendi . Warner Bros Discovery . etc.
– Media & Broadcasting (Sector 2)
Shareholding in the companies who own: Amazon . BT . fuboTV . Grupo Televisa . ITV . Liberty Media . Netflix . Paramount Global . STV . Tegna . Vivendi . Warner Bros Discovery . etc.
– Hotels & Hospitality (Sector 3)
Shareholding in the companies who own: (las vegas hotels) Bellagio . Caesars Palace . Circus Circus . Eldorado . Excalibur . Flamingo . Harrah’s . Horseshoe . Luxor . Mandalay Bay . MGM Grand . New York-New York . Park MGM . Reno . Silver Legacy . The Cosmopolitan . Tropicana . Wynn ….. (macao hotels) The Londoner . The Parisian . The Plaza . The Sands . The Venetian ….. (cruise operators) AIDA . Carnival . Costa . Cunard . Disney . Hapag-Lloyd . Holland America . Marella . Norwegian . Oceania . P&O . Princess . Regent Seven Seas . Seabourn . TUI Cruise ….. (hotel brands) Ascend . Atlantica . Barut . Blue Diamond . Cambria . Clarion Pointe . Comfort . Days Inn . Dorfhotel . Grupotel . Iberotel . Jaz . Magic Hotels . Quality Inn . Ramada . RIU Hotels . Sleep Inn . Sol Y Mar . Travelodge . TT Hotels . TUI Blue . Wyndham Grand ….. (theme parks & water parks) Adventure Island . Aquatica . Busch Gardens . Discovery Cove . Disney California Adventure . Disney’s Animal Kingdom . Disneyland . Disney’s Hollywood Studios . Epcot . Magic Kingdom . SeaWorld . Sesame Place . Water Country USA . Walt Disney Studio Parks . Walt Disney World Resort ….. (travel companies) Airbnb . Airtours . Crystal Ski Holidays . Expedia . First Choice . Hotels.com . Hotwire.com . Orbitz . Travelocity . trivago . Vrbo . Wolters Reisen . etc.
– Fashion & Cosmetics (Sector 4)
Shareholding in the companies who own: (fashion) Abercrombie & Fitch . Agent Provocateur . Alexander McQueen . Antigua . Banana Republic . Burberry . Calvin Klein . Christian Dior . Coach . Cruise . Dr. Martens . Fendi . Firetrap . Flannels . Gap . Gieves and Hawkes . Givenchy . Gucci . H&M . Hollister . Hugo Boss . Jack Wills . Jack Wolfskin . Jaeger . Jimmy Choo . Kate Spade . LA Gear . Levi Strauss . Louis Vuitton . Marc Jacobs . Michael Kors . Missguided . Per Una . PINK . Ralph Lauren . Saint Laurent . Scotts . SoulCal & Co . Stella McCartney . Stuart Weitzman . Superdry . Tessuti . The North Face . Timberland . Tommy Hilfiger . USC . Van Mildert . Vans . Versace . Victoria’s Secret . 18 Montrose . (cosmetics) Aramis . Bobbi Brown . Clairol . Clinique . Estée Lauder . Garnier . Jo Malone . JOOP! . L’Oreal . M·A·C . Max Factor . Maybelline . Origins . Rimmel . Tom Ford . Wella . etc.
– Food & Beverage (Sector 5)
Shareholding in the companies who own: (food) Bango . Ben & Jerry’s . Birds Eye . Cadbury . Capri Sun . Cheetos . Cheez-It . Daim . Domino’s . Doritos . Greggs . Halls . Heinz . Hellmann´s . Hershey . HP Sauce . Kellogg’s . KFC . Knorr . Kraft . Lea & Perrins . Magnum . Maynards Bassett’s . McDonald’s . Milka . Oreo . Papa John’s . Philadelphia . Pizza Hut . Pringles . Quakers . Ritz . Spam . Taco Bell . Tate & Lyle . The Vegetarian Butcher . Toblerone . Walkers Crisps . Wall’s . Wendy’s (beverages) 7 Up . Amstel . Appletiser . Baileys . Barr . Birra Moretti . Bulmers . Caffreys . Canada Dry . Captain Morgan . Carling . Cobra . Coca-Cola . Coors . Costa Coffee . Dr Pepper . Evian . Fanta . Foster’s . Gordon’s . Guinness . Heineken . Innocent . Irn-Bru . J&B . Johnnie Walker . Magners . Marston’s . McEwans . Miller’s . Molson . Mountain Dew . Pepsi . Peroni . Pilsner . San Benedetto . Schweppes . SmartWater . Smirnoff . Sprite . Starbucks . Strathmore . Tanqueray . Tennent’s . Tizer . Tropicana . Volvic . Worthingtons.
– Technology (Sector 6)
Shareholding in the companies who own: ABB . Alibaba . Alphabet . Amazon . Apple . Baidu . Bill . Cisco . CrowdStrike . DCC Technology . DocuSign . GB Group . GDS . Global Payments . HP . Intel . Kape . Lumen . Match . Meta . Micron . Microsoft . Nokia . PayPal . Qualcomm . Sage . Salesforce . Silicon Motion . Skyworks Solutions . Snap . Spirent . Spotify . United MicroElectronics . United Internet . Zoom . etc.
– Retail (Sector 7)
Shareholding in the retail companies who own: Best Buy . Boots . Costco . Currys . Foot Locker . GameStop . Gap . H&M . Home Depot . Kohl’s . Kroger . LSL Property Services . LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton . Marks and Spencer . Motorpoint . Mulberry . Pendragon . ProCook . Sainsbury’s . Starbucks . Superdry . Target . Telefonica . TUI . Vodafone . Walgreens . Watches of Switzerland . etc.
– Sport (Sector 8)
Shareholding in the companies who own: (football interests) Bayern Munchen FC (through Adidas stake) . Borussia Dortmund FC . Celtic FC . Juventus FC (through Exor stake) . Manchester United FC . (motor racing interests) Aston Martin . BMW M Motorsport . BMW Motorrad Motorsport . Formula One . Ferrari . Goodyear . Honda . Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 . Michelin . Toyota Gazoo . (baseball interests) Atlanta Braves . (ice hockey interests) Hartford Wolf Pack . New York Rangers … (basketball interests) New York Knicks . Westchester Knicks … (golf interests) Callaway . Footjoy . Kjus . Odyssey . Pinnacle . Scotty Cameron . Titleist . Vokey Design . (wrestling interests) WWE . (sportswear interests) Adidas . Callaway . Jack Wolfskin . Nike . TravisMathew . Under Armour … (sport venue interests) Caesars Palace . Madison Square Gardens … (ski resort interests) Vail . Beaver Creek . Breckenridge . Keystone . Park City . Heavenly . Northstar . Kirkwood . Perisher . Whistler Blackcomb . Afton Alps . Mt. Brighton . Wilmot Mountain . (sports wear and retail) Adidas . Bell Helmets . Big 5 Sporting Goods . Bushnell Sport Optics . CamelBak Sports . Campari Ski Wear . Callaway Golf . Carlton Badminton Equipment . Cuater Sport Shoes . Dick’s Sporting Goods . DTLR . Donnay Tennis Equipment . Evans Cycles . Everlast Boxing & Gyms . Finish Line . Footpatrol . Foresight Golf Monitors and Ranges . Giro Cycling . Gul Watersports . Jack Wolfskin Outdoor . JD Sports . Karrimor Running . Kjus . Lovell Sports Shop . Lilly Whites Sports Shop . Livestock . Lonsdale Boxing . Muddy Fox Cycles . Nevica Skiwear . Nike . No Fear Skating . QuietKat Bikes . Shoe Palace . Sizeer . Slazenger Sports . Sondico Football . Sports Direct . Sportsman’s Warehouse . Sportmaster Retail . Sport Zone . Sprinter . Stone Glacier Sports .TravisMathew Sports . Under Armour . USA Pro Gym Wear.
– Medical, Healthcare & Pharma (Sector 9)
Shareholding in the companies who own: Alliance Pharma . Always . Andrex . Aussie . Baxter International . Boots . Braun . Clearasil . Colgate . DCC . Depend . Dettol . Dove . Duane Reade Pharmacy . Equilibra . Farmacias Ahumada . Farmacias Benavides Pharmacy . Gaviscon . Gillette . GoodNites . Head & Shoulders . Herbal Essences . Huggies. Kleenex . Kotex . Liquid I.V . Love Beauty and Planet . Medtronic . Nurofen . Olly . OMO . Onnit . Oral-B . Palmolive . Pampers . Pantene . PCA SKIN . Pfizer . Pull-Ups . Sainsbury’s . Sanex . SmartyPants . Strepsils . Tampax . Vaseline . Veet . Vicks . Walgreens . etc.
– Automotive (Sector 10)
Shareholding in the companies who own: (cars) Abarth . Acura . Alfa Romeo . Alpina . Aston Martin . Audi . Bentley . BMW . Buick . Bugatti . Cadillac . Chevrolet . Chrysler . Citroen . Cupra . Daihatsu . Dodge . DS . Ferrari . Fiat . Ford . GMC . Honda . Hummer . Jeep . Lamborghini . Lancia . Lexus . Li Auto . Lincoln . Maserati . Maybach . Mercedes-Benz . Mini . Mullen . NIU . Opel . Peugeot . Porsche . Ram . Rolls Royce . SEAT . Skoda . Smart . Toyota . Vauxhall . Volkswagen . XPeng . (motorbikes and scooters) BMW . Ducati . EZGO . Honda . Polaris . (RV’s) Airstream . Crossroads . Dutchmen . Heartland . Hymer . Jayco . Keystone . KZ . Redwood . Thor Motor Coach . (commercial, bus and trucks) Bollinger . Caminhoes e Onibus . Fiat . IC Bus . MAN . Mercedes . Scania . Volkswagen . (specialty vehicles) Oshkosh … (snowmobiles) Polaris … (golf carts) EZGO . Polaris … (all-terrain vehicles) . Honda . Polaris … (flying cars) XPeng … (agricultural machinery and heavy equipment) Case Construction Equipment . Case IH Farming . Cat . Eurocomach Excavators . Flexi-Coil Seeding . Hindustan . Kongskilde Soil Prep . Miller Spraying . New Holland Agriculture . New Holland Construction . Overum Soil Prep . Progress Rail Rolling Stock . Raven Farming . SEM . Steyr Tractors … (other auto related companies) as well as many companies in the automotive supply chain (from parts, paint and robotic suppliers to companies engaged in the retailing of vehicles).
– Manufacturing & Industry (Sector 11)
Shareholding in the companies who own: ABB . Advanced Drainage Systems . Ardagh . Canadian Solar . Canon . CAT . CBAK . China Yuchai . Corteva . Crown . Cussons . De La Rue . FW Thorpe . Goodyear . HP . Inspecs . Intel . International Paper . JinkoSolar . Kimberly-Clark . Kulicke and Soffa . Leggett & Platt . Luceco . Medtronic . Mercer International . Michelin . Micron . Silicon Motion . Skyworks Solutions . Stanley Black & Decker . Strix . Suzano . Synthomer . United MicroElectronics . WestRock . WD40 . Whirlpool . etc..
– Energy & Mining (Sector 12)
Shareholding in the companies who own: Barrick Gold . BP . Canadian Solar . CBAK . Chevron . Compass Minerals . conEdison . ConocoPhillips . DCC . Devon Energy . EDF . Emeren Group . Equinor . ExxonMobil . Ferrexpo . Harbour Energy . Hycroft Mining . JinkoSolar . Kinder Morgan . Marathon Oil . Mercer International . National Grid . Newmont Mining . NRG Energy . Petrobras . Phillips 66 . ReneSola . Sasol . Shell . Sibanye-Stillwater . SigmaRoc . SM Energy . etc.
– Telecommunications (Sector 13)
Shareholding in the companies who own: Apple . BT . Comcast . Currys . Helios Towers . Lumen . Nokia . Spirent . Telefonica . Verizon . Vodafone . etc.
– Banking & Finance (Sector 14)
Shareholding in the companies who own: Augmentum Fintech . Aviva . Bancolombia . Bank of America . Berkshire Hathaway . Bill . BNP Paribas . Bridgepoint . Brookfield . Charles Schwab . Chrysalis . Citi . Credit Suisse . Everi . Exor . Global Payments . HSBC . KKR – Kohlberg Kravis Roberts . Legal & General . Lloyds Banking . LSL Property Services . M&T Bank . Marks and Spencer . New York Community Bancorp . Nomura . PacWest Bancorp . PayPal . Prudential . Sage . Sainsbury’s . Secure Trust Bank . US Bancorp . Zions Bancorporation . etc.
– Insurance (Sector 15)
Shareholding in the companies who own: Admiral . Aviva . Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company . biBERK Business Insurance . Direct Line . GEICO Auto Insurance . Legal & General . MLMIC Insurance Company . Nomura . Prudential . United States Liability Insurance Group . etc.
– Property & Real Estate (Sector 16)
Shareholding in the companies who own: American Tower . Blackstone . DW Commercial Property . Great Portland Estates . Hammerson . Host . KKR – Kohlberg Kravis Roberts . LSL Property Services . Persimmon . Realty Income . Shaftesbury . Watkin Jones . etc.
– Shipping & Delivery (Sector 17)
Shareholding in the companies who own: Berkshire Hathaway . Costamare . Dada Nexus . Eagle Bulk Shipping . FedEx . GXO . IDS . Star Bulk Carriers . UPS . Zim . ZTO . etc.
(2) dwIP
David operates a private intellectual property portfolio of twelve trademarks that are registered with the UK’s Intellectual Property Office. The dwIP portfolio, includes:
– Charles Howes & Son
Charles Howes & Son was established by the former mayor of Morecambe (Charles Howes) in 1890. Today, they offer customers the choice two upright pianos and a range of piano stools made in China. David’s involvement with Charles Howes & Son began in 1990 and he wholly owns it.
– Mendieta
For over forty years, beautiful classical and flamenco guitars have been hand crafted by the luthiers who make Mendieta guitars in a small studio workshop in Valencia, Spain. Today, the Mendieta range consists of the Estudiante, Estudio, Conservatoire, Artizan and Professional series classical guitars as well as a range of flamenco guitars. David’s involvement with Mendieta began in 1997 and he wholly owns it.
– Beverley
UK based Beverley, offer professional mallets that are made in the North of England; and drum kits, snare drums, hardware and percussion products made in Taiwan. David’s involvement with Beverley began in 2000 and he wholly owns it.
– Levin
Levin offer a range of English handmade musical instrument straps; and a range of guitars, mandolins, ukuleles and banjo that are built in Asia. David’s involvement with Levin began in 2001 and he wholly owns it in the UK.
– Arena
Arena offer an affordable range of microphones and cables made in China; and a range of stands made in Poland. David’s involvement with Arena began in 2001 and he wholly owns it.
– Paris Woodwind
Paris Woodwind offer a range woodwind instuments including saxophones, clarinets and flutes for student and intermediate players. David’s involvement with Paris Woodwind began in 2001 and he wholly owns it.
– Collard & Collard
Collard & Collard offer a range of piano stools and music cabinets that are made in England; and two upright pianos that are made in China. David’s involvement with Collard & Collard began in 2002 and he wholly owns it in the UK.
– ResoVille
ResoVille Guitars are inspired by the life’s work of John Dopyera who founded both the National and Dobro resonator guitar companies. David’s involvement with ResoVille began in 2014 and he wholly owns it.
– Glenlaw
Glenlaw Cables are a specialist UK-based custom cable maker that designs and hand builds great-sounding high specification cables reliable for both studio and live musicians. David’s involvement with Glenlaw began in 2021 and he wholly owns it.
– Briggs
Briggs Violins offer handmade instruments that are made from selected high-quality European woods and inspired by instruments of Antonio Stradivari, Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri, Giovanni Battista Guadagnini, Nicolo Amati, and Giovanni Paolo Maggini. David’s involvement with Briggs began in 2021 – although its planning goes back to to 2013 – and he wholly owns it.
– Shindo
Orchestral instrument bows.
– Moretti
Accordions – R&D stage.
(3) Faith & Hope Records Limited
David is co-founder, director and thirty percent shareholder of the UK based record label, publisher and music synchronisation business Faith & Hope that he and his co-founder Neil Claxton established in 1997. Faith & Hope’s highlights include:
– Charts Hits & Key Tracks
Had a string of charts hits and key tracks including: Mint Royale’s 2008 UK #1 Singin in the Rain’; Wham! Bar featuring George Michael; Elephant Stone from Stone Roses Remixed; The Effect On Me featuring Jean Wells; Take It Easy featuring Andy Kim; Something New featuring Duffy; Dancehall Places featuring Damien Jurado and Jez Williams; Show Me featuring Pos [from De La Soul]; Shake Me featuring Clodagh Rodgers; Right Stuff featuring LC Anderson; Tequilla: Mint Royale Shot Mix featuring Terrorvision; Sexiest Man In Jamaica featuring Price Buster; Blue Song featuring Steven Wren [vocals] and Noel Fielding [in the Video]; Don’t Falter featuring Lauren Laverne; Gone Up in Flames [The Inbetweeners theme tune].
– World-class Artistes
Released music featuring: Mint Royale, Duffy, Lauren Laverne, POS from De La Soul, Prince Buster, Stone Roses, George Michael, Damien Jurado, Jez Williams, Andy Kim, Clodagh Rodgers, Stephen Fretwell, Jean Wells, LC Anderson, Terrorvision, and Manda Rin.
– Music on Movies
Had music on major Hollywood films including: The Inbetweeners; Vanilla Sky; Serendipity; Get Carter 2000 remake; Van Wilder: Party Liaison; Uptown Girls; Blind Dating; New York Minute; Not Today; Kung Pow! Enter the Fist; A Time for Dancing; Bedazzled 2000 remake; Boy A; Fast Food; Girls on Top.
– Music on Adverts
Had music on the adverts of World leading brands, including: Volkswagen; Adidas; Hugo Boss; Kellogg’s; Mentos; Nokia; Toyota; AT&T; Honda; Vodaphone; Sky; Mars; DFS; BBC Radio 1, etc.
– Music on TV
Had music on television programmes globally, including: The Inbetweeners [title music]; Chuck; Alias; Spaced; The Priory [title music]; Mighty Boosh; Malcolm In The Middle; Shameless; Queer as Folk; Hotel Babylon; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; etc.
– Music on Compilation Albums
Had tracks on some of the biggest compilation albums of their time, including: NOW 70 That’s What I Call Music!; Ministry of Sound Annual; Top Of The Pops [2000]; Dance Nation Anthems; The Annual Ibiza [2002]; Club Life Selection; Kinky Beats; Slam The Breaks On; Pepsi Chart; 21st Century Disco [2003]; Big Beach Boutique II; 24 Hour Psychedelic Freak Out; Buddah Club Summer House Club; NOW 42 That’s What I Call Music!; A Camping Flight To Lowlands Paradise [2003]; Total Dance Volume III; etc.
– Festival Appearances
Had artistes play some of the biggest festivals including: Glastonbury; T in the Park; Wakestock; V Festival; Homelands; Leeds & Reading; Creamfields; Isle of Wight; Guilfest; Summer Sundae; XFM Winter Wonderland; Festival Internacional de Benicàssim [Spain]; Lowlands [Netherlands]; Pukkelpop [Belgium], Manifest [Mexico], Oxegen [Ireland].
– Licensing Deals
Had major international licensing deals with the likes of: Universal; EMI; BMG; Parlophone; JVC Victor [Japan]; ZYX Music [Germany]; MCA Records [USA]; Shock Records [Australia]; Aporia [Canada]; V2 [South East Asia] etc.
– Joint Venture
Had a joint venture with Sony.
(4) Promenade Music Limited
David is founder, chief executive officer and sole-shareholder of the award-winning music business Promenade Music which he established in 1989. Promenade Music’s highlights include:
– 14,000 sq feet of Retail and Warehousing space … Promenade Music owns “One of the largest and best stocked music shops in the North of England”.
– Tens-of-thousands of Customers … Promenade Music has tens-of-thousands of customers, including: students, leisure, corporate, education, and professional musicians.
– Supplied Top Musicians … Promenade Music has supplied instruments and/or music equipment to: Neil Claxton (Mint Royale); Alex James (Blur); Slash (Guns N’ Roses); Joe Bonamassa (for Marshall Amps); Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai); Chris Joyce (Simply Red), Sam Fender; (Renell Shaw (Rudimental, Nile Rodgers), Chesney Hawkes; Oasis; Big Country; etc
– UK Main Dealers for Over 200 Brands … Promenade Music carries stock from the World’s leading manufacturers, including: Yamaha, Roland, Kawai, Nord, Korg, Fender, Martin & Co, Gibson, Marshall, Bose, etc.
– Business Cells in the Music Sales Sector … These include: Retail, Education and Worship Sectors.
– Business Cells in the Music Service Sector … These include: Hire; Import; Moving & Storage; Piano Restorations, Repairs & Re-strings; Sound Installation; Music Tuition; Media and Marketing Recording; Digital Mobile Recording.
– UK Importer … Promenade Music is the UK importer for several international manufacturers, including: Content Organs; Marleaux Basses; Northwood Guitars; Deering Banjos; GFI Pedal Steels; Krivo Pick-ups; Mullen Pedal Steels; Maestro Guitars; Goodrich Pedals; Pickaso Bows.
– Exclusive Dealer for dwIP … Promenade Music is the exclusive dealer for David’s dwIP trademarks (see list above).
(5) Accolades & Awards
David is honoured and humbled to have received various accolades and awards over the years.
– Honorary Doctorate
Awarded a Lancaster University Doctor of Music (DMus) honoris causa degree and known as Dr. David Wood at the university.
– HonsFDip Honorary Fellowship
Recipient of a HonsFDip Honorary Fellowship in Music from the Independent Contemporary Music Awards.
– FRSA Fellowship
Recipient of a FRSA Fellowship from the Royal Society of Arts.
– Musical Director Award
Recipient of a NODA Musical Director Award after winning a National Operatic and Dramatic Association musical director of the year award.
– Business of the Year Award
Recipient of a Lancaster City Council Business of the Year category at the Business Link North Lancashire Business Awards for Promenade Music.
– Who’s Who of Britain’s Business Elite
Appeared in an edition of the Who’s Who of Britain’s Business Elite.
(6) Continuing Educational Journey
David has an intellectual curiosity and love of continuing education and discovery.
– New York Institute of Finance
Currently studying (for fun) a suite of subjects that relate to ‘stock trading’ at the New York Institute of Finance through the American MOOC provider edX.
– University of Cambridge
Gained a University of Cambridge undergraduate certificate in ‘operational business and management’ which was designed and delivered in collaboration with the university’s Judge Business School and the university’s institute of continuing education.
– ICMA
Gained an Independent Contemporary Music Awards DipMusTh Diploma in music theory from ICMA.
– London College of Music
Gained a London College of Music AMusLCM Associate in Music Diploma in harmony, counterpoint, musical form and history of music.
– Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Attended a Guildhall School of Music & Drama course in executive coaching and mentoring.
– University of Oxford
Attended a University of Oxford management and business skills programme in relation to technology, commercialisation and psychology at their department for continuing education.
– Lancaster Adult College
Attended a Lancaster Adult College general law course.
– School of Sound Recording
Attended Manchester’s School of Sound Recording – also known as SSR – sound recording course.
– Huddersfield Technical College School of Music
Attended a Huddersfield Technical College School of Music course.
– Autodidact Study
Studied: music; retail; law; business; finance; and investment strategies.
(7) Core Skills Through Experience
As well as management, operations, commerce, and corporate governance skills; David has a working understanding of sales, negotiation, retailing, e-tailing, marketing, manufacturing, international trade, distribution, logistics, intellectual property management, digital rights management, contract law, financial management, strategic planning, and organisational behaviour.
(8) Community Activities
David is a passionate supporter of his local, regional and wider music communities.
– Member of Footlights (Local)
An amateur group that owns and operates the Lancaster Grand Theatre – the third oldest theatre in Britain – and where he and his children all played in the orchestra pit as teenagers.
– Volunteer at Morecambe Winter Gardens (Local)
Deputising organist at the Morecambe Winter Gardens which was known as the ‘Albert Hall of the North’ when it opened in 1897.
– Charity Host for Box4Kids (Local)
Host for the charity that invites seriously ill children to enjoy a music or sports event from the comfort of an executive box.
– Archivist for Lancaster Red Rose AODS (Local)
Currently archiving the amateur operatic and dramatic society’s shows from 1936. He was appointed musical director of this society when he was 18 years old and was their musical directed for four shows in the mid to late 1980’s.
– Member of the Lancaster & Morecambe Chamber of Commerce (Local)
David’s local chamber of commerce who campaign on local, regional and national issues that affect businesses in his local area.
– Member of the Royal Nothern College of Music (Regional)
Member of the RNCM and donor of their ‘support a student’ scheme, where his son Harrison was an undergraduate.
– Patron of The Hallé (Regional)
A patron of the Manchester based professional symphony orchestra ‘The Halle’ that also has a choir, youth choir, youth training choir, children’s choir, and youth orchestra. His son Harrison was the principal double bass of the Halle Youth Orchestra when he was a teenager.
– Member of Help Musicians (National)
Formally known as the Musicians Benevolent Fund, Help Musicians offer support for musicians, including, a dedicated mental health support line (0808 802 8008) which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for musicians.
– Member of the British Film Institute (National)
Member of the BFI who were founded in 1933 and is today, a cultural charity, National Lottery funding distributor, and the lead organisation for film and the moving image in the UK.
– Friend of the Royal College of Music (National)
Friend of the RCM and donor to their ‘scholarship programme’, where his daughter Jess was an undergraduate.
– Friend of the Independent Society of Musicians Trust (National)
Friend of the ISM Trust which is the sister charity of the ISM who are advancing music education, the arts and promoting health of musicians.
– Member of National Association of Music Merchants (International)
Member of NAMM who are the World’s largest musical instrument industry trade association and also known for their annual NAMM Show.
Past Community Involvement
– Past member of the Institute of Directors (from 2021 to 2023)
– Past member of the Music Industries Association (at various times)
– Past member of a BBC Local Advisory Council (from 2005 to 2007)
– Past committee member of the Morecambe Musical Festival (from 1985 to 1988)
(9) Advocate and Campaigner Activities
David is an advocate and non-political quiet campaigner for four issues that are close to his heart.
– Access and equity to one-to-one instrumental music lessons for all children (who want them).
– Access and equity to digital for all children.
– Better mental health provision for people in the music sector.
– Better teaching of entrepreneurial skills in higher-education music.
(10) Support of the Music Sector
David is a supporter of the music sector and undertakes various roles on a Pro bono basis.
– Leader in Residence at UCLan
Throughout his tenure at the University of Central Lancashire, David has tried to enhance student experience and be a role model for students.
– Guest Speaker
Speaker at higher education institutions.
– Music Conference Panellist
Appeared as a panellist at the Popkomm, In The City and Midem international music conferences.
– Music Industry Commentator
For respected international media outlets and broadcasters.
– Competition Judge
For national competitions.
(11) Advisory and Trustee Roles
– Safra Republic Holdings S.A.
Advisory role… David had an eleven-year advisory role in respect of music, media, entertainment and materials intellectual property interests – copyrights, trademarks, design rights, patents – between 1988 to 1999. His role included accessing the asset depreciation – and therefore opportunity – of soon-to-be out of copyright public domain material and catalogue valuation. The role came to an end after the sale of Republic New York Bank was agreed in May 1999.
– Monstermob Group PLC
Advisory role… David had a five-year advisory and supplier role with the mobile entertainment company from 2000 to 2005 and was a shareholder post flotation. He was there through the celebrations of £19+ million first year sales; £32+ million market cap floatation on AIM [2003]; the sale of over 25 million downloads a month; operations in 19 countries and 10 million monthly subscribers.
– VGTRK
Advisory role… David had a three-year advisory role on the potential commercialisation of former soviet state all-union radio official network IP with VGTRK – aka The All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company – from 2008 to 2010.
– More Music in Morecambe
Trustee role… David was a trustee of the UK based music and education charity More Music. After the financial crash of 2008, the financial position of More Music worsened but during David’s tenure as a trustee – between 2010 and 2014 – the board and David achieved a range of achievements including: national portfolio organisation funding (awarded by arts council, England) for 2015 to 2018. From when I joined the board, to when I left, the balance sheet ‘total funds’ moved from a £18,189 deficit to a £108,227 positive. He left the organisation in a safer financial place and more music is now one of the longest running and most highly regarded community music and education organisations in the UK.
(12) Past Business Activities
– Self-employed Musician
David was a child musician and then professional musician, musical director and bandleader from 1978 to 2000.
– St Aubyns Sound Recordings
Founder and owner of the jingle and recording business from 1986 to 1988.
– Yamaha Music School Morecambe
Owner from 1987 to 1997.
– Flightplan
Founder and owner of the custom-made aluminium flight case business from 1994 to 1998.
– Faith & Hype
Co-founder of the press and PR arm of Faith & Hope Records Limited from 1998 to 2002.
– Art & Science
Co-founder of the club night arm of Faith & Hope Records Limited from 1999 to 2002.
(13) Past Mentors
– Major Peter Parkes
The late Major Parkes was one of the World’s most successful award-winning brass conductors.
– Edmond J. Safra
The late Mr. Safra was one of the most accomplished bankers in history. He was the founder of Safra Republic Holdings SA; Republic New York Corporation; Republic National Bank of New York and Trade Development Bank.
– Sir Denis Forman OBE
The late Sir Denis was the former Chair of Granada Television; Deputy Chair of Granada Group; Chair of the British Film Institute; and Deputy Chair of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.
– Keith J. Harris
Keith is the former and founding General Manager of Promenade Music.
– Doug D’Arcy
Doug is the former President of Chrysalis Records International; Director of Chrysalis Group Limited; Founder of Dedicated Records; and shareholder in Faith & Hope Records.
– Anthony H. Wilson
The late Tony Wilson was a former broadcaster, the co-founder of Manchester’s Factory Records, and founder of the Hacienda nightclub.
(14) Musical Family
Please note for clarification: Although David refers to various people below as an “in-law”, most are his partner Rachel Lucy Moore’s family. Although Rachel Lucy and David have been in a relationship for several years, they are not married, but David still thinks of these people as part of his family.
– Harrison Wood
His son is a multi-award-winning professional bass player.
– Jess Wood
His daughter is a multi-award-winning professional percussionist.
– Barbara Wood
His late mother was a singer and pianist.
– Daisy Briggs
His late grandmother was a singer and horn player.
– Rachel Lucy Moore
His partner is a chamber music and cello teacher who has taught at the Royal Northern College of Music junior department for thirty years.
– Linzi Wood
His daughter in law – known professionally as Linzi Matthews – is an actress who has appeared professionally on stage and screen.
– Miriam Morley
His mother-in-law has taught violin at the Royal College of Music for many decades.
– Christine Livingstone
His partner Rachel Lucy’s “2nd mum” is a chamber music and cello teacher who has taught at the Royal College of Music Junior department for over thirty years.
– Allan Briggs
His cousin is one of the longest serving members of the ‘Yorkshire Imps’ and played with the band in the 1970’s when they were one of the greatest brass bands in the World.
– Dr. Michael Harpham
His cousin once removed studied at the Royal Academy of Music, holds two masters degrees and a PhD. He is a published author, university lecturer, headteacher, and owns an education consultancy.
– Ben Moore
His brother-in-law won a place to study at the Royal College of Music junior department and then went on to read music and politics at Keele University.
– Seb Turner-Moore
His nephew-in-law is a singer, songwriter and music producer who graduated with a BA (Hons) in music and sound design from Ravensbourne University in London. He is now writing, producing and out there performing his own music.
– Amanda Moore
His stepmother-in-law sings and will be singing with the BBC Symphony Chorus at this year’s BBC Proms 2023.
– Margaret Lucy Wilkins
His aunt-in-law is an award-winning composer who was a music lecturer at Huddersfield University and Queen’s University.
– Richard Blackford
His step-uncle-in law is one of the foremost concert and media composers in Europe.
– Alexander Pullinger
His step-brother-in-law is a professional freelance countertenor, singing teacher and LGBTQ+ advocate.
(15) Musical Childhood
As a young child, the biggest musical influence on David was both his mother and grandmother who both played and sang. His mother and grandmother began teaching him to play up to 1972 (the age of 7). Between 1972 to 1986 [from the age of 7 to 20] David had some wonderful music teachers including: Sam B Wood (music theory); Madame Patti Regina (piano and singing); John Disney (bass trombone); Ronnie French (jazz organ); Bill Ibbotson (bass trombone and theory); David Kellett (bass guitar); Susan Fielding (singing and piano); Harold Graham (theatre organ); Phillip McCann (band studies); Major Peter Parkes (arranging and conducting); Philip Honnor (jazz piano); Alan Jenkins (singing); Les Storey (bass trombone); Dr Mark Ellis (music theory); Tim Oliver (sound recording).
– 1975 (aged 9)
He joined his local brass band Morecambe & Heysham Silver Band.
– 1976 (aged 10)
His father encouraged him to develop a ‘musical novelty act’ where he sang; and played valve trombone and organ (at the same time) to the guests in the hotel his parents were managing.
– 1977 (aged 11)
Joined his local authority county concert band, The Lancashire Schools Symphonic Wind Band (aka LSSWB).
– 1978 (aged 12)
Began playing ’15-minute guest spots’ in the local pubs and working men’s clubs his father frequented. After saving his tip money from playing the summer season in the hotel his parents managed, he bought my first multitrack recorder. He was booked by musician John Jeffries [Morecambe musician] to play his first ‘proper gig’ at Milnthorpe Working Men’s Club on New Years Eve 1978 and received a £100 fee.
– 1979 (aged 13)
As a boy soprano, he was cast as the King in ‘All the King’s Men’, an opera for young people by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett.
– 1980 (aged 14)
Played his first full summer season. Although more interested in light entertainment repertoire, he sang classical repertoire and won the ‘Solo Singing for Boys’ class at a Music Festival.
– 1981 (aged 15)
He was regularly gigging five nights a week in the summer season and began making (and selling) extended play cassettes to DJ’s through a record industry van sales operation who he was introduced to by a Morecambe based record shop owner [Mike Hargreaves] who owned the ‘Disco Music Centre’ chain. By the end of the summer season, David had to become self-employed as income tax is related to earnings, not age.
– 1982 (aged 16)
Was occasionally deputising on bass trombone for various youth ensembles including the Lancashire Youth Symphony Orchestra (aka LYSO), National Youth Orchestra (aka NYO) and National Youth Jazz Orchestra (aka NYJO).
– 1983 (aged 17)
Went to study at Huddersfield Technical College’s School of Music and was given a discretionary grant by Malcolm Doley [Lancashire’s Senior Advisor for Music].
(16) Family Background and Childhood
David had “a dysfunctional childhood”, but managed to believe from an early age that “the happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just try and make the best of everything”.
– David was born in 1966.
– His late parents were living on the notoriously difficult Lupset council estate in Wakefield.
– Before he was born, his brother Andrew had died in 1962.
– After Andrew’s death, his father became an alcoholic and had his first heart attack in 1963; and his late mother suffered a reoccurring episode of bipolar disorder which tormented her all the way through her life. She was sectioned twice in her eighties.
– He attended Waterton Junior and Infants School – which is now closed – on the Lupset estate in Wakefield from 1970 to 1973.
– Shortly before my 7th birthday – in early 1973 – his parents moved to Morecambe, to manage a hotel for the blind.
– He attended Great Wood Primary School in Morecambe from 1973 to 1977.
– He attended Morecambe High School from 1977 to 1983.
– The 11th of November 1977 changed his childhood for good when their family basement flat was flooded in the Morecambe floods of that year and his parents found they were underinsured.
– After the flood, his late father’s alcoholism accelerated and his late mother’s mental health deteriorated.
– From early 1978, he immersed himself in practicing [musical instruments] and began experimenting with recording equipment, which consumed his life for the next few years.
– His four or five hour a day practice regime from 1978 onwards taught him that “my greatest strength is my obsessive commitment to doing something, and my biggest weakness is my obsessive commitment to doing something”.
– As a youngster, he realised that if he began drinking alcohol and liked it, he wouldn’t be able to stop… and that’s why he says “I’ve never tasted alcohol to this day”.
(17) Other Details That May Be Of Relevance
– He is not a member of a political party.
– He is not a member of a political organisation.
– He is not a local, regional or national government representative.
– He does not have any criminal convictions (either spent or unspent).
– He has not been a bankrupt (either discharged or undischarged).
– He has not been disqualified from being a director of any company (by either court order or voluntary undertaking).
– He holds a W-8BEN Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting with the IRS, the US Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service.
(18) Contact Details
– Full Name: David Harry Wood
– Lancaster University Title: Dr. David Wood
– Post-nominal Letters: HonDmus HonsFDip FRSA DipMusTh AMusLCM
– Assistant: Anna Norberg (GMT +1) emea@davidwood.biz
– Correspondence Address: St Aubyns, 404 Marine Road East, Morecambe, LA4 5AR, England, UK
– Telephone number at Promenade Music: 01524 410202 ext 208 (If outside UK: 0044 1524 410202)
– Telephone number at Faith & Hope Records: 01524 401144 ext 208 (If outside UK: 0044 1524 410202)
– Email for private, Y1 Investments and dwIP correspondence: dw@davidwood.biz
– Email for Promenade Music correspondence: david@promenademusic.co.uk
– Email for Faith & Hope Records correspondence: david@faithandhope.co.uk
– Personal website: davidwood.biz