Mr. David C. Elliott, OBE (Br. 1952–56), has enjoyed a truly global career across military service, corporate leadership, and international trade. After leaving Brighton College as second Head of School in 1956, he joined the Royal Navy and was commissioned in 1959 following training at Dartmouth. His early deployments took him across Southeast Asia and the Caribbean during a time of intense geopolitical change.
In the 1960s, David saw action during the Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation, followed by training and anti-submarine appointments that culminated in an exchange posting at the U.S. Navy's Anti-Submarine Warfare School in California during the Vietnam War.
He returned to command roles in the 1970s, including leading the RN Task Force to reopen the Suez Canal in 1975, for which he was appointed OBE. Another highlight was his time commanding HMS ABDIEL alongside a young Prince of Wales (now King Charles III), then captain of HMS BRONINGTON. The two have remained in touch over the decades.
After the Falklands War, David transitioned to the private sector, joining The Plessey Company, a major British defence and telecommunications firm (for whom he later led their defence marketing operations in the USA.) Following the takeover of Plessey he co-founded Koeppen, Elliott & Associates (KEA) in 1992 in Washington, D.C.. Over three decades, KEA facilitated over 250 high-level international trade missions to the US from 95 countries, focusing on critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, telecommunications, transportation and emergency response.
David retired in 2023, having spent exactly half of his life in the United States, though he remains deeply connected to the UK—and to Brighton College.
What motivated you to pursue a military career, and how did Brighton prepare you for that path?
I’ve never quite pinpointed what drew me to the Royal Navy—perhaps simply the idea of “seeing the world.” Though I had no direct family in the service, both my and my brother’s godfathers had served in the Navy during WWII. My brother’s godfather Duncan (Freddie) Foulds was at Brighton College at the same time as my father (1920s) and won the DSC and was Mentioned in Dispatches when commanding two destroyers, one of which was HMS BRIGHTON!
Brighton College instilled values that proved essential in military life: self-reliance, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and a strong sense of camaraderie. All of these shaped my path from day one.
You served in diverse regions worldwide. Are there any moments that stand out as particularly formative, or memorable?
Three occasions deserve mention:
- The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962): While serving aboard HMS WHIRLWIND, we passed through the U.S. naval blockade of Cuba. It was a stark reminder of how close the world came to global conflict. A few months later, we provided guardship support during the Nassau Agreement between PM Harold Macmillan and President Kennedy.
- Reopening the Suez Canal (1975): As Commander of the Royal Naval Task Force, I led the clearance operations following the Yom Kippur War—an enormous logistical and political challenge. It was a four-month underwater operation with a squadron of minehunters and clearance divers. For this task I was appointed OBE and
- Service with Prince Charles (1976): During my command of HMS ABDIEL, then-Prince Charles was commanding HMS BRONINGTON in my squadron. We served together for 11 months, and I’ve remained in touch with His Majesty ever since, including attending a 2024 reunion at Buckingham Palace to mark the 50th anniversary of his naval service.
What inspired your move into international business, and how did KEA come about?
After a very fulfilling naval career, I felt it was time for change. I left the Navy in 1983, shortly after serving in the Ministry of Defence during the Falklands conflict.
I joined Plessey as Director of Customer Relations in London, and later moved to Washington, D.C., as Vice President for North American defence operations. When Plessey was taken over in 1990, a chance conversation with a former colleague led to the founding of KEA in 1992. We were an international trade development company managing high level technical delegations to the USA from around the world on behalf of the US Government—and that’s exactly what we did for the next 31 years. Washington became my home and where I still reside.
What do you attribute your success in international trade diplomacy to?
The foundation was my naval service. Military life teaches you how to lead, collaborate, and build trust—skills that are just as crucial in international business. My schooling at Brighton College reinforced those values from the start.
Were there any particular teachers or moments at Brighton that stayed with you?
Many! At the Prep School, I recall Headmaster Bayliss-Smith and Geoffrey Burstow, as well as Miss Allen, who taught me world geography and may well have sparked my wanderlust.
At the College, Headmaster Bill Stewart was a great man, in stature and in character. I wasn’t a scholar, but I thrived on the sports field—rugby, cricket, squash, boxing. Tutors like “Tubby” Hill (though I hated Latin!) were memorable and I recall well my two Housemasters Ralph Lester and then Richard Crossley-Holland, “Tich” Cornford, the cricket coach and holder of the Pavilion Keys, and even the college porter, Mr. Smart, in his green uniform, left an impression.
And then there were the friendships—the “chums in the same boat.” I recently reconnected with Ron Levy (Br. 1952–57), now in Boston, after decades apart.
Your father and brother were also Old Brightonians. What does that connection mean to you?
A great deal. My father, Harold William Elliott (1920–24), was a Governor of the College and deeply committed to it. My brother Roger (Br. 1946–51) went on to become Chairman of Willis Faber and Dumas. Though we never overlapped at the College, I always felt part of a family tradition.
You’ve lived and worked across the world. How has this shaped your worldview?
Profoundly. I was fortunate to marry a Swede and we travelled the world together for over 50 years. My daughter is a linguist and global traveller in her own right, and my grandson, at 22, has already visited 22 countries. By his age so had I, but I went by sea!
I’m a firm believer in the value of international experience—especially at a young age. Exposure to other cultures, languages, history and perspectives isn’t just enriching; it’s essential if we’re to build a more understanding and connected world.