David has a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from Canterbury University and an MBA from the Kellogg Business School, Northwestern University in Chicago. David began his career in Sydney with strategic management consulting company Booz Allen and Hamilton Inc returning to New Zealand in 1993 to establish McConnell Group, with his father and brother.

David was instrumental in the establishment and initial management of McConnell Property in 1997. Since that time the business has developed into one of New Zealand's exemplary property development companies with a reputation for industry leadership and strict governance.

David is Chair of Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), a council controlled organisation, with the Auckland Council. He is a Deputy Chair of the Committee for Auckland and Chairman of the University of Auckland's Business School Advisory Board. He is a past Board member of Mighty River Power and past Deputy Chair of Telstra Clear Events Centre.

In 2006 he received the Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leadership Award and in 2008 a prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship.