As a director, David is known for his hands on approach and oversees each of the studio’s projects. He cut his teeth in the sector at the University of Manchester’s School of Architecture and then worked for several large practices in Manchester and London before moving to Germany in 1994, where he was project architect on a large-scale development in East Berlin.

In 1997 David became co-owner of multi-disciplinary practice DC Arcchitekten in Berlin, with a team of seven technical staff. The firm worked on commercial and residential projects, as well as several masterplans for Berlin and Brandenburg.

David returned to England in 2001 when he was invited to join Wood Associates (as the practice was then called) in Preston by Peter Wood, a friend from his time at university. When Peter passed away in 2009, David remained as sole director of the practice. He rebranded the company as David Cox Architects in 2013.

Today, the company boasts a small but experienced team of architects and technicians and is a thriving business. It works on a range of residential, commercial and conservation projects, which vary in value from around £100,000 to £15 million.

David is a former member of Architektenkammer Berlin, and a current member of the Architect’s Registration Board and the Royal Institute of British Architects. 

He is also an Accredited Expert Witness in construction, offering advice on all aspects of the built environment.

As a former Director of Preston Vision and a current member of Preston Open City, David also plays an active role in promoting the city of Preston on a regional and national scale.

David has a passion for education and has sat as the Chair of Governors for Preston’s St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School since 2008. He is also an external consultant in technical design at the Manchester School of Architecture and University of Liverpool.

In May 2021, David appeared on a Leaders Council of Great Britain & Northern Ireland podcast, discussing the importance of leadership and the impact it has had on his career to date.