David Young is a consultant with more than 30 years’ experience advising organisations on health and safety in the workplace, and more broadly food and product safety and compliance. He is also particularly experienced in inquests, inquiries and investigations, including leading independent internal investigations for a major NHS Foundation Trust, multiple sensitive inquests arising from work-related deaths and a number of recent or current public inquiries including the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Infected Blood inquiry, the Post Office Horizon inquiry and the Covid 19 inquiry.

David built a health and safety practice over 30 years ago and developed teams to support clients across all sectors in relation to safety investigations and compliance. High profile experience includes the Buncefield explosions and fire, the Potters Bar rail crash and the Morecambe Bay helicopter crash, but more typically workplace fatalities and non-fatal incidents across multiple sectors, together with the associated investigations and inquests. Inquests are always sensitive, and David has been instructed in some of the most sensitive including a law firm partner death whilst under a conduct investigation, and acting for a hotel chain following the killing of a receptionist by a guest.

David has played a role in shaping modern food industry practice. A specialist in foodborne illness, allergens and contamination matters, he successfully defended the first ever norovirus prosecution in the UK brought under general health and safety at work duty of care legislation. He also advised on the establishment of the Food Industry Information Network (FIIN) following the horsemeat scandal in 2013 and acted as its sole legal adviser until 2020.

David is known for his empathetic but calm, pragmatic and commercially aware approach. Clients value his ability to guide them through high-pressure situations, from public health crises to high-profile regulatory investigations, with confidence and clarity. He brings deep sector insight, proven judgement and a commitment to proactive compliance, helping businesses mitigate risk and maintain trust in challenging circumstances. He is at home whether in the Boardroom or on the shopfloor.

• Dealing with multiple workplace fatality investigations, inquests and prosecutions
• Board and director awareness training in relation to safety responsibilities
• Inquests
• Public Inquiries
• Supporting clients through high-profile investigations
• Advising retailers and manufacturers on food safety, product safety and recalls and incident response

• Buncefield explosions and fire, December 2005 (acted for the site operator) (2005-2010)
• First UK norovirus prosecution under health and safety legislation –successfully defended a national food business operator when norovirus introduced to restaurant by guest diners (2015-2019)
• Representing a national food business operator following a food-related fatality (2012-2016)
• Represented a major hotel chain in Coroner’s investigation and inquest following the unlawful killing of a hotel receptionist by a guest (2020-2025)

• Studied Law at the University College London (LLB)
• Attended the College of Law, London

• Member of the Health & Safety Lawyers Association (HSLA)
• Member of the Food Law Group