Lord David Evans

David Charles Evans, Baron Evans of Watford is a British publisher, entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.

He is a Labour peer in the House of Lords with roles including trustee of the Royal Air Force Museum, and the Chairman of the Institute of Collaborative Working. David became a life peer, taking the title Baron Evans of Watford of Chipperfield in the County of Hertfordshire, in 1988.

David founded Centurion Press in 1971, which became a leading UK print management and design company with a turnover of over £100 million. David also co-founded Senate Publishing Ltd with Caroline Minshell, focusing on consultancy and seed capital for start-ups. He also established Evans Mitchell Books, a publisher of photographic art and natural history. In 2013, he became chairman of Newsdesk Media Ltd, a global publishing firm.

David was also the Senior Advisor to Ron Wahid, Chairman of Arcanum Global, a global strategic intelligence company and a subsidiary of Magellan Investment Holdings.

David is active in charitable and healthcare sectors, advocating for cancer research and serving as President of the ‘Pioneers’ for Prostate Cancer UK. He is a Founding Director of Advanced Oncotherapy Plc and supports Peace Hospice Care.

David attended Watford College of Technology and was awarded the Edward Hunter Gold Medal as best student. His honours include the Azerbaijan Parliamentary Medal and fellowships from several professional institutions.

Lord David Evans, Baron Evans of Watford, born on 30 November 1942, is a prominent British publisher, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose career spans over five decades. David embarked on his professional journey in 1957 as an apprentice in the printing industry. His early experiences and expertise led him to establish Centurion Press in 1971. Under his leadership, Centurion Press became one of the UK’s leading print management and creative design companies, boasting an annual turnover exceeding £100 million.

Following the sale of Centurion Press, David, in partnership with Caroline Minshell, co-founded Senate Publishing Ltd. This niche consultancy firm focuses on providing seed capital for corporate start-ups in both media and non-media sectors. Senate Publishing’s work includes developing publishing and communication platforms for high-profile clients, including governments and major corporations.

In addition to Senate Publishing, David launched Evans Mitchell Books, a publisher specialising in bespoke photographic art and natural history. His influence in the publishing world continued to grow, and in 2013, he became chairman of Newsdesk Media Ltd, an international partnership publishing company. Newsdesk Media works with both public and private sector clients across diverse fields, including defence, high technology, and foreign direct investment.

David has held significant roles in charitable and healthcare organisations. He is a strong advocate for cancer research, having served as President of the ‘Pioneers’ for Prostate Cancer UK and supporting other cancer research foundations, while himself battling with the cancer. He is also a Founding Director of Advanced Oncotherapy Plc, a company focused on innovative cancer treatments. 

In 1998, Davic was appointed a Labour Peer, taking the title Baron Evans of Watford. His peerage reflects his significant contributions to charity, trade, and industry. He has also served as a Trustee of the Royal Air Force Museum and as chairman of the Institute of Collaborative Working. David has been a Senior Advisor to Arcanum Global, a global strategic intelligence company.

Honours received by Lord Evans include the Azerbaijan Parliamentary Medal for improving relations between the UK and Azerbaijan, as well as fellowships from various professional institutions such as the Institute of Collaborative Working, City & Guilds, and the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Lord David Evans's vision centres on leveraging his extensive experience to drive innovation and excellence across multiple sectors. His work aims to bridge traditional and digital media, enhance corporate start-ups through strategic consultancy, and support philanthropic causes, particularly in healthcare and cancer research. David seeks to foster strong international relationships, as evidenced by his recognition from the Azerbaijan Government and strives to promote collaborative working environments. His ongoing commitment is to advance industry standards, support emerging talents, and make meaningful contributions to both the business and charitable sectors.