Dr David Smith is a British technologist, with a notable and varied career spanning multiple industrial sectors, who succeeded Sir Patrick Vallance as the UK’s National Technology Adviser in September 2023 in which role he works closely with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Dame Angela McClean. 

As the National Technology Adviser, Dr Smith advises the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on the best approach to building and enhancing the UK’s technology strengths. Dr Smith will work across government to champion the science and tech industries and build networks across industry and academia to draw the best minds into policymaking. This will see Smith use his decades of experience in private sector R&D working across the technology industry, which has most recently seen him lead the approach to innovation of the global aerospace and power company Rolls-Royce.

His career has otherwise seen him take key leadership roles as the Managing Director of British tech firms and engineering consultancies working across cyber-security, radio sensors, automotive, communication networking and more. 

Throughout his career, Dr Smith has established himself as a leader of innovative technology organizations and developer of many globally successful, ground-breaking products, including winning The Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Innovation.