About
I change people’s minds.
Twenty-plus years helping companies, governments, organizations and multinationals improve how learning and capability development operate at scale. Strategic design, honest measurement and AI-enabled innovation, with the hands-on credibility that makes it real.
Zürich
Working globally
CH · UK · AU work rights
The short version
I diagnose root causes, align diverse stakeholders and design human-centred learning that improves readiness, adoption and business performance. At Takeda I built the instructional design strategy and Learning Design System behind 18,000+ employees across 30+ sites, and led AI-augmented production in R&D that removed irrelevant SOP training.
At Credit Suisse I delivered 35 global projects in 18 months on time and on budget and upskilled a new team near-shored novice IDs.
Before learning, I worked in software engineering and digital innovation. That background enables me to sit between business, learning, technology and AI without a translator.
FACTS
Base
Zürich, Switzerland
Work rights
Switzerland · UK · Australia
Education
MSc, Brunel University
Languages
English (native) · German (A2)
Sectors
Pharma · Banking · Life Sciences · Healthcare
Experience
2025 – 2026
Learning Development Lead, R&D (Associate Director) · Takeda
AI-powered semi-automated content production (−50%+ development effort, −70% irrelevant learner time), role-based capability maps, and an enterprise Learning Design System adopted by Global HR, commercial teams and manufacturing. Member of Takeda’s AI early-adopter group on governance and responsible use.
2020 – 2025
Global Instructional Design Manager · Takeda
Owned instructional design strategy for Global Manufacturing & Supply: 50+ learning professionals, 18,000+ employees, 30+ sites. Enterprise leadership programmes, ~25 Manufacturing Academies, AI localisation at −80% cost, and a global design community of practice that brough independent designers and small teams at 30+ sites into one big, cooperative community.
2017 – 2019
Global Digital Learning Advisor (Vice President) · Credit Suisse
35 global digital learning projects in 18 months across regulatory, risk and business topics, all on time and on budget. Shaped governance, standards and tooling. Influenced senior stakeholders towards risk-based learning that cut unnecessary training time.
2015 – 2017
Principal Consultant · Learning Plan, Sydney
Led consulting, design and delivery teams for global clients. Challenged a failing approach for Samsung Mobile and correlated learning engagement with measurable sales performance. Helped craft learning strategy and projects for Coca-Cola Amatil, Cochlear, Meat and Livestock Association, NSW Premier’s Office, NBN and Westpac. Contributed to strong business growth and partnership with Adobe.
Earlier
CPD at scale, founding & digital roles · Sydney & London
Led CPD strategy and operations for 33,000 physicians at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Founded and scaled Healthy Media, a digital learning consultancy in London serving Allergan, Otsuka, Takeda, Shire and Parexel. Earlier still: software engineering and technical innovation leadership. Even launched an online video company before YouTube existed!
Recognition & community
AITD L&D Professional of the Year
Australia’s highest individual award for a learning professional, 2016.
Conference speaker
DevLearn, Learning Technologies, AITD, LearnX and others.
Community builder
Founded L&D communities of practice: 2,500+ members in Australia, 500+ in Switzerland.
LearnX awards
2016–2017, including best 360° video and game design.
What colleagues say
“He might be one of your greatest assets to hire. Few people are as knowledgeable, inspiring and collaborative like David.”
Alexander Pakulat
Training Lead, Takeda
“In today’s environment where embedding AI in the workflow is among the highest demand, I cannot recommend David more.”
Ginger Tey
Head of Strategy & Innovation, Takeda
“He is a true digital innovator and learning leader, with a natural ability to build communities and bring people along on the journey.”
Will Kennedy
Head of Strategic Programs, Takeda
“When facing complex challenges, David brings structure, calm, and forward momentum. He is someone you can confidently turn to when you are working through a difficult or ambiguous problem.”
Stefanie Chamberlain
Digital Capability Enablement Lead, Takeda
Tell me the performance problem.
I’ll tell you whether learning might be the answer and what to do if it isn’t. I’m not just about courses!
Hiring, or just thinking about it?
Full-time, interim, fractional, or contract. If you need someone who’s succeeded with learning at enterprise scale, then let’s have a conversation.