Born in Belfast and brought up in Warwickshire, David Anderson was initially inspired to study archaeology by his radical rugby-playing history teacher, which, in turn, led to him specialising in Irish history at Edinburgh University. David Anderson was appointed to Amgueddfa Cymru as Director General in 2010. Prior to that he was Director of Learning in the Victoria & Albert Museum London having previously held various positions in museum education. He is recognised as an authority on cultural strategy and arts education. In 1999 he was awarded an OBE for services to museums and education. He has published widely including the UK Government report "A common Wealth: Museums in the Learning Age". He has been the advisor to the UK Government on a wide range of Initiatives including Culture On-Line, Creative Partnerships and a national museum and gallery education strategy. He is also the author of the best selling children's books "The Spanish Armada" and "Mutiny on the Bounty". From 2004 to 2008 he was also Co-Director of the Exhibition Road Cultural Group, London’s first cultural quarter.