David is a chartered engineer with a BSc in Electrical Engineering and an MSc in Control & Instrumentation. He worked as a design engineer in the process and nuclear industries before serving on the board of two blue-chip manufacturing companies, where he complemented his technical expertise with a strong commercial background.
David became the majority shareholder of MGA Controls Ltd in 2005, taking over a company named after its founder, Malcolm Geoffrey Aikin. On acquiring the business, David made a promise to Malcolm to turn it into a million pound company a promise he more than kept.
Under his stewardship, MGA Controls grew into a highly regarded UK technical distributor of valves and instrumentation solutions. David led the way in introducing a professional approach to sales and built a business that, whilst remaining nimble and flexible, also carried a strong corporate identity.
That growth ultimately attracted the attention of international investors. On 19th May 2026, Beijer Tech signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in MGA Controls Limited. Beijer Tech is a group of companies specialising in value-added sales, manufacturing and automation, with a focus on fluid technology and industrial products. It operates as a key business area within Beijer Alma AB, a publicly listed Swedish industrial group.
The acquisition marked a fitting conclusion to David’s tenure a testament to both the promise he made and the company he built.