David Coughtrie became a CET Trustee in 2011 and Chairman in October 2014. He retired as Chairman of CET in September 2020.

David was born in Ayrshire, educated at Ayr Academy and Strathclyde University where he studied architecture. He practised in Scotland before moving to London to work in the transport sector. An aptitude for project management led to high profile appointments in the UK and overseas, becoming Managing Director of London Transport International and President of LTIC Inc in the USA. He set up his own management consultancy, DCA Ltd, advising the World Bank, various governments and corporate clients on strategic options for public transport in Europe, Africa, Middle and Far East and the Americas.

He has served on government committees and is a long standing Member of the Union Internationale des Transports Publics, a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Logistics and Transport as well as a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects. While a long term member of the London Scottish Diaspora, living in Dulwich with his wife and daughter, he maintains a close link with Scotland and retains property in Ayrshire.

President of the Caledonian Society of London in 2008-2009, he was recently Chairman of the Caledonian Club. He is currently a member of the Court of Guardians of the Royal Caledonian Schools and a Trustee of the Royal Scottish Corporation. In the latter, known as ScotCare, he is a Member of the Committee of Management, chairing the Property Committee. He is a Patron of Dalmellington Silver Band.