David Constantine MBE

David Constantine MBE respected expert in the parallel worlds of disability and design, David Constantine is uniquely placed to help public, private and non-profit organisations embrace the opportunities presented by the fast growing ‘Purple’ economy, fundamentally changing how people feel, what they are able to do and what products and services they purchase or access.In the UK alone, some 12 million people have a recognised disability and this number is set to grow as average life expectancy continues to rise.The value of the ‘Purple Pound’ is currently £249 billion. The demand for products and services that better meet the needs of this increasingly sophisticated and astute audience is growing fast.Disability is no longer a fringe issue. It’s a mainstream opportunity to improve life for all, creating a fairer, more inclusive and diverse society. People of all ages and abilities can be better served with improved products and services designed to make life easier and better.  Other RolesDavid served for 18 years on the Boards of the Design Museum, the Arnolfini in Bristol and many other non-profit organisations. He has experience of working under a board as a founder and Executive Officer but also as a non executive director with governance responsibilities.Personal StoryDavid Constantine started his working life in agriculture and, following an accident aged 21 in 1982, became a quadriplegic wheelchair user. He switched paths to pursue a career in computing. Following a degree in Computer Studies & Accountancy & Finance at Oxford Polytechnic he joined IBM as a junior programmer.While working at IBM he spent time in the design department as part of his graduate training. It was here that he realised that ‘good design’ could have immense benefits for him, others like him and wider society.In 1988 he gave up his career at IBM to study for a Masters in Computer Related Design at the Royal College of Art, London. It was here that he teamed up with a fellow student Simon Gue and won a prize for designing a low-cost wheelchair for developing countries. Encouraged by the senior staff at the RCA, the pair teamed up with Richard Frost, a colleague from Oxford Polytechnic, and travelled to India and Bangladesh to test the relevance of their design.The trio formed Motivation, a UK charity and social enterprise and built it into one of the most respected design-led, non-governmental organisations providing appropriate mobility products in low income countries. They broke new ground setting up partnerships throughout Asia, Africa, Central America and Eastern Europe. Today Motivation works with international organisations to provide low-cost products, services and training to both the staff of local organisations and the users of the products. Some x00,000 users have gained their independence in a Motivation designed wheelchair.Over the last 30 years David has built a global reputation in the wheelchair and disability sector and was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list in 2010 for services to disability.