We are delighted to welcome Dave Prinsep to the College, in his new role as Estates & Operations Director. Dave was previously Assets & Property Assistant Director at Cambridge City Council, with a focus on making sure that the Council’s properties work well for delivering services, helping customers and meeting wider objectives such as supporting net zero carbon aspirations and generating income.

With a background as a surveyor, Dave has previously run projects such as the Park Street Car Park redevelopment, a proposed 1 MW solar energy scheme, producing and implementing the asset management plan, a community co-housing scheme called Marmalade Lane, and acquiring various housing and commercial properties.

We spoke with Dave to find out a bit more about our newest Director.

  • What do you like most about the type of work you do?

I’ve had a curiosity for property since childhood, carrying around bags of lego and playing monopoly.  I never thought that I’d doing things like that for real – I’ve had the occasional parking fine but haven’t been sent to jail! 

Since my days of the beers wines & spirits team in Sainsburys, I always take pride in what I do with a real customer service ethos: I want people to enjoy buildings, open spaces and services that I’m involved with.

Most of all, though, I love doing a deal be it buying or selling property, negotiating with building contractors and developers, or occasionally buying a car!

  • What brought you to Churchill College?

Cambridge is a really special place and I’ve worked here for the past 20 years.  Passing Churchill College nearly every day, I have always admired the extensive grounds, wonderful gardens and the very obvious approach and desire to improve biodiversity and sustainability.  This hasn’t hindered development but has been a key part of the buildings and the grounds as well as providing fabulous opportunities for health and wellbeing of students, staff and the wider local community.  The opportunity to work within that environment and the people within it is enticing.

  • What are you looking forward to most about your role/working here?

From my first visit when I walked the grounds and met some of the Churchill College teams, it has felt a really welcoming, friendly and supportive place.  I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone, to share knowledge and experience to build upon the great work done, and to make the student, academic and visitor experience as good as it can be.  There are some tough challenges ahead especially in respect of climate change and achieving net zero carbon but that’s what attracts me to the role – how can we achieve this in all areas of College activity?

  • What do you think people would be surprised to learn about you?

I recently saw Elvis in Birmingham…..

When I’m not seeing Elvis, I like a bit of dog walking, social badminton with just a hint of competitive edge, going to the cinema, 80s music and to keep me grounded I’m a fan of Aston Villa FC.

Dave Prinsep joins the College on November 27, and joins another new addition to the team, Paul Lawrence, who is the new Head of Buildings & Capital Projects. We’ll be sharing information about Paul in the near future!