David Bailey joined Chelton in June 2023, bringing more than 25 years of experience across the defence, electronics, systems and training sectors. His career spans air, land, sea and civilian domains, supported by extensive expertise in engineering, project management and general management within the civil service, SMEs and major multinational organisations.

Since joining Chelton, David has contributed in both Technical Lead and Engineering Management roles before moving on to lead the newly established Compact Platforms Business Unit in January 2026.

A passionate advocate for STEM education, David is committed to inspiring the next generation of innovators. He regularly volunteers in local primary schools, helping pupils design and build electric model cars while showcasing the exciting world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at Chelton.

David holds a BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Sheffield.