Who we are

Who we are

Colonel David Hopley OBE RM (Retd) MAC 

David  Hopley  is a  leadership, management and business consultant, coach and mentor, with nearly 50 years experience gained from working in both the financial services industry and, more broadly, from a highly successful military career. A motivational leadership speaker, David has worked with a variety of clients from the financial, energy, retail, insurance, health care, tourist, Olympic and education sectors, as well as the not-for-profit sector. He is founder and Co-Director of  David Hopley Associates Ltd, a specialist firm covering discrete business and personal development solutions, and facilitating ‘step change’ in business performance. He has also worked with a numbrr of US-based consultanciesa, including Excelsior Consulting and The Core Leadership Institued, working with clients in the US, Europe, ME and Asia. David is also affiliated to the US Joint Special Operations University, in Tampa, for which he serves as a Distinguished Senior Fellow. 


A former co-head for Europe  Middle East & Africa of Goldman Sachs’ award  winning  leadership  and  development  platforms – Goldman Sachs University and Pine Street, David is an Executive Coach, holds Member status with the Association for Coaching. His coaching and mentoring clients range from senior ‘C level’ executives across a variety of sectors at institutions, including the ICAEW, Banking, Reassurance and Pharma to Olympic coaches and Healthcare. He is also a member of Allied Corporate Partners (ACP) mentoring panel, helping former members of the Armed Forces into second careers.  He has extensive experience working with clients from the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe and the US. Together with his youngest son, Alan, David has supported LGBT network events in the City.


During  his 30–year  military career  in  the Royal  Marine  Commandos  and   UK  Special Forces, he served in a variety of appointments, ranging from operational tours with the Special Boat Service (SBS), Headquarters UK Special Forces and Joint Forces Headquarters, to staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence and the teaching staff at the Joint Services’ Defence College.  He has the unique distinction of receiving the King’s Badge for best recruit under training and the Sword of Honour, for passing out top of his officer course two years later.  He has also commanded in every rank, and was Commanding Officer of the SBS between 1993-96.  Awarded an OBE for in 1994, his last appointment before retiring on July 2005 was Deputy Commander, UK Special Forces.


David has three children (aged between 40 and 46) and is married to Christine, a Chartered Human Physiotherapist and member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy. They share a passion for making a difference!

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