Behind every ceremony is a celebrant with a story of their own. A collection of experiences, passions and talents that shapes the way they connect with others.

In this edition of Faces of the Foundation, we meet David: Edinburgh celebrant, maritime safety expert, world traveller and accomplished musical director. From a lifelong ambition to become a ship’s captain to conducting orchestras and helping raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity, David’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

Here, David shares how his love of people, storytelling and performance eventually led him to the wonderfully rewarding role of becoming a celebrant.

Why become a celebrant?

Quite simply, I am very much a people person. I love getting to know new people, their back stories, likes and dislikes and understand what they truly want out of a ceremony.

Having a good sense of humour (I need one – I have a teenage daughter!!) certainly helps me to gel with my clients.

I am also more than comfortable with public speaking as I have spent a lot of time in the witness box. Not the accused, I hasten to add, but as an expert witness on maritime safety as well as conducting training seminars and lectures.

So how did I go down the path of maritime safety?

Well, on leaving school (an unmentionable number of moons ago) I decided on a career at sea as I had always wanted to be a ship’s captain (please remove any images you may have about a wooden leg and a parrot on my shoulder!). 

After a number of years, I moved into the world of ship management and continued travelling around the world visiting ships and regional offices.

About 15 years ago, I decided that I would start my own business and I now carry out safety audits, training and assist solicitors in the UK, the USA and beyond in cases involving serious maritime casualties. I am also asked frequently to appear on television and radio to comment on shipping incidents that have involved fatalities or pollution.

Running parallel to my marine experience, is my love of music; a hobby that has turned me into a semi-professional musician starting off with singing and now being a musical director who arranges and orchestrates for chorus and orchestra.

I am very proud to have been the conductor and MD of Showcase for around 30 years.

Showcase is an Edinburgh based musical company that has raised £385,000 since 1991 for MacMillan Cancer Support. I had also been MD of Edinburgh’s oldest theatre company – Southern Light Opera – for 6 years culminating in Titanic – The Musical.

Perhaps a somewhat ironic crossover between my career paths!

I have travelled the world extensively (76 countries at the last count!) but have always lived in Edinburgh and am married to my wonderful wife, Tara.

We have a fabulous daughter who wants to go to music college when she leaves school and eventually become a full-time violinist.

As a friend of mine keeps telling me, “I knew there was talent in the family somewhere!”

And so, I guess the culmination of public speaking and performing music has helped me in my latest quest in becoming a successful celebrant.

David’s story is a wonderful reminder that there is no single route to becoming a celebrant.

The skills and experiences gathered throughout our lives can help us connect with people, tell their stories and create ceremonies filled with warmth, meaning and personality.

David is one of the many people who help bring the values of The Fuze Foundation to life through compassion, connection and a genuine commitment to others.

Keep following our Faces of the Foundation series to meet more of the people behind our work and discover the stories, experiences and values that inspire them.