David Haigh

David Haigh

David Lawrence Haigh (born 17 July 1977) is a British businessman.

Biography

Haigh moved to Cornwall at a young age with his family. Haigh submitted articles for his local newspaper, The Cornishman, aged 13,^[1] before moving on to other media entities,^[2] including several years working as a programme assistant at BBC Radio Cornwall. Haigh gained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Southampton in 1999, adding the Legal Practice Course from the College of Law a year later. He was admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales in September 2002.

Politics

Haigh was an active member of the Conservative Party in the St Ives constituency and helped raise funds for the Party at community events. Haigh was later elected a member of the Vauxhall Conservative Association Executive Committee and unsuccessfully stood for the Oval ward in the Lambeth Borough Council elections in 2006.

Continuing his political engagement in Dubai after joining GFH Capital, he helped to launch "Gulf Tories", and as its Vice-Chairman, saw it become an official part of Conservatives Abroad. He stepped down from the Gulf Tories in 2013.

Career

Haigh worked as a solicitor in London until 2005. He moved to the British Virgin Islands in 2005, and then to Dubai in 2006, where Haigh worked in investment banking, private equity and venture capital, as well as legal, regulatory and operational affairs.

Leeds United

Haigh led GFH Capital's negotiations with the then-owner of Leeds United, Ken Bates, for the acquisition of the club.^[3] The agreement was formally announced at a press conference at Elland Road on 20 December 2012. Haigh joined the Leeds United Board and in February 2013 was made a Director. On the 1st of July 2013, Haigh was made Managing Director of the club.^[4]

On 11 April 2014, Haigh resigned as Managing Director.

Arrest

In May 2014 Haigh was arrested for financial irregularities^[5] in operation of Leeds United Football Club. It was later clarified that his arrest related to allegations of fraud and embezzlement from his time at GFH Capital and didn't relate to activities at Leeds United.^[6] According to Dubai Police he is alleged to have embezzled AED23.7 million (about USD6.7 million) from his former employers. The irregularities were discovered during a routine internal audit.^[7]

Charity

In April 2013 Haigh completed a 250km arctic charity husky trail for the Make A Wish Foundation to raise funds for Make A Wish which supports his niece, Sienna who lives with the genetic disorder Homocystinuria (HCU).^[8]

References

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