Having obtained degrees in both Mathematics and Law, David Blackburn was in private practice as a solicitor specialising in tax, company and commercial law from 1962 until he retired from legal practice in 1978.
He has been prominent in the UK property industry since 1979 when he became a substantial shareholder in Rosehaugh PLC and joined the Board.
Since 1986 he has operated through his own company Blackburn Associates Limited.
His completed development projects have included the major City of London office developments at Broadgate, Finsbury Avenue, and 160 Queen Victoria Street.
He is currently engaged on Kings Place - a mixed use development of approx. 500,000 sq.ft. comprising offices (approx. 50% pre-let to Guardian Media Group PLC), auditorium, music spaces, restaurants, galleries etc. at King's Cross.
He has specialised in structuring, implementing, and acting as a consultant in relation to complex transactions and projects. He has a wealth of experience forming, heading and working with multi-disciplinary teams of professionals and corporate executives in the property investment, trading and development fields.
He has built strong working relationships with a broad spectrum of contractors, construction managers, funders, tenants, joint venture partners, local and central government agencies, and professionals (including solicitors, accountants, architects, engineers, cost consultants, planning consultants, rights of light consultants, etc).
He promotes creative and innovative responses to challenges straddling conventional boundaries between disciplines. Key hallmarks of his approach are to explore issues and options in depth and ensure rigorous analysis and attention to detail.
Working in the USA as well as the UK he has negotiated and implemented (and been concerned in the resolution of disputes in relation to) numerous purchases, lettings, sales, financings, professional and agency appointments and joint ventures.