Saying yes to the unexpected: David's EF journey
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26 years | 14 roles | 6 locations | 4 divisions
David Evans’ EF journey started with a summer job interview, a blazer he borrowed from his dad, and a role he wasn’t expecting. At 21, he applied to be a Local Leader with EF Language Abroad in Eastbourne, but instead was offered a leadership position. He took on the challenge, and from there, his career kept growing through new roles, bigger responsibilities, and unexpected opportunities. Today, he is the Managing Director for Ashridge House.
In this Q&A, David reflects on the moments that pushed him out of his comfort zone, the people who helped shape his career, and why change is still what excites him most about working at EF.
What did you study in school? How does that relate to what you're doing today?
Business Studies. Absolutely, it provided a really good grounding in many areas of business, from finance and accounting to HR and people management.
How did you first find out about EF, and how did you start working here?
When I was 21, and living in Eastbourne, I was looking for a summer job. Language Travel, which today is EF Language Abroad, was looking for Local Leaders to accompany student groups coming to learn English. I applied (and borrowed my dad's blazer for the interview), but instead of getting offered the role, I was offered a more senior role — Activity Organizer, in charge of all activities, trips to London, beach parties, and responsible for around 30 local leaders. I remember thinking, "This is sink or swim time, David." I started swimming as hard as I could. I loved every second of it, and I even ended up meeting my future wife through EF. Today, we have two kids!
Can you tell us a little bit about your career trajectory? Where did you start, and how did you get to where you are today?
After working as an Activity Organizer that summer, I was offered a job in Finance in Amsterdam, and then after a couple of years, I moved back to the UK, where I was responsible for finance for the London regional office for EF Educational Tours, handling on-tour finance and Tour Director expenses. Following that, I moved into managing the London and then also Paris Regional Offices, responsible for recruiting, training, and managing our large pool of amazing Tour Directors. I then moved to Lucerne to work in Operations, overseeing all operations and procurement in the UK and Ireland.
Following a restructure, I then took over operational responsibility for all non-standard brochure tours, which included all customized tours, EF College Study Tours, Tours for Girls, language immersion tours, our history event tours, and EF Global Leadership Summits. Working with the historic event tours, including bringing over 8,000 Canadian students and teachers at the same time to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle for Vimy Ridge, was a career highlight, and possibly EF's largest event to date.
I then took over Operations for EF Go Ahead Tours and EF Ultimate Break, first in Lucerne and then in Zurich. Finally, I returned to the UK to take up my most interesting role to date, Managing Director of EF's Ashridge House!
My current role is all about growth. Our team at Ashridge House is focused on growing our conferences, events, and wedding business, while also being home to EF's Hult Ashridge Executive Education business and Hult International Business School, Ashridge. My days consist of running from sales meetings to construction sites (as we restore some of the special, historic places at Ashridge), to meeting with the owners of art collections housed at Ashridge, to meeting with clients, to discussing the latest filming contract we have signed. No day is the same.
How have job opportunities happened for you during your time at EF?
I am sometimes asked for advice on how to plan your career and next steps. The truth is, I never did. Being part of an incredible, large, and international organization like EF means planning is impossible. Opportunities come up when you least expect them. I've been lucky to have some incredible managers and mentors during my career. I've said yes to everything and been pushed to do things I never thought I could do by people who believed in me.
Looking back over your time at EF, what are some pivotal moments that shaped your career path?
When I was working in the London Regional Office, we were only a few weeks away from peak season, and I needed to hire 50 Tour Directors. My manager at the time gave me a hug, reassured me, and then helped me come up with a plan to recruit and train 50 Tour Directors in 2 weeks. We pulled it off, and it was one of my first big lessons in "nothing is impossible".
Another moment was having a major hotel chain with whom we had the majority of our hotel inventory within London, reduce our allocation and increase price. This meant finding new hotels for tens of thousands of travelers in a very short space of time. I promised myself that I would never put myself or my team in a position again where we were so reliant on one supplier, we had no leverage, and they knew it.
Is there a specific moment or project that stood out as the most rewarding in your career?
I've loved my time working with events, from commemorating the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge, to EF's Global Leadership Summits with speakers such as former Vice President Al Gore and the late Jane Goodall. I think these events showcase EF at its very best: education in action. Seeing today's teenagers solving problems and adapting quickly to changes in technology leaves you feeling very hopeful about the future of our world.
What is the best part of your job?
Collaborating and solving challenges as a team. Here at Ashridge House, we have some of the most talented people I have ever met. With world-class cuisine from our team of chefs, to heating engineers helping us reverse engineer our systems to make them more efficient, to knowledgeable gardeners, to working with our own Ashridge construction team! I just love facing the big challenges we have at Ashridge House, knowing we have an incredible team and can tackle anything.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
My home is far away from Ashridge House, so during the week I stay at Ashridge House. So, the most challenging part is being away from my family during the week. On the flip side, I get to stay every week at Ashridge House and have to pinch myself on my "commute" as I walk through the gardens to the main house each morning.
Throughout your career and across multiple roles, what keeps you passionate about working at EF?
Change. Whether you change roles, change countries, change positions, or just change the way you do things. I have come to understand that change is so important. Embrace change, it's part of EF's DNA. Our ability to be agile, to change, to move quickly is part of what makes us so successful.
Out of the countries you have lived in, which has been your favorite?
Switzerland. Skiing every weekend in winter, and swimming in the lakes in summer. Riding my Vespa in the summer around the lakes, looking out at insane views. It's arguably the most beautiful country in the world.
What does work-life balance mean to you? How have you been able to find that at EF?
A former manager taught me about the idea of contrast. The theory goes that the more contrast you can build into your life, the happier you can be. For example, when you are starving and then have a slice of pizza, it tastes twice as good as when you are just a little peckish. When it's been raining for months on end (winter in the UK!), and then you have a day of sunshine, you feel on top of the world. When you haven't seen your family all week, the time with them at the weekend feels so much more special.
For me, contrast sums up my approach to work/life balance. Both are important, but without having both, you get less enjoyment in both. This philosophy has helped me be present when I am having time off, as well as enjoy the focus of hard work.
Any advice for someone navigating their own career?
Seek out great managers and trust them (we are fortunate to have so many at EF). Say yes to things. Embrace change.
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About EF journey stories
No two EF careers are the same. People switch divisions, explore new functions, move across continents, or choose to stay and grow in the same area for decades. We’re purpose built to encourage entrepreneurialism, which means there’s always something new and exciting to work on—and you can do it all while staying within the same company. There are limitless opportunities. You’re free to steer your own course, and go as far and as high as your talent will take you. These are just some of those stories.