David Glasser is Chair of the Trustees, although he does not chair monthly Board meetings as he operated as Chief Executive of the museum until October 2020 when Sarah MacDougall took up her appointment. Born in Glasgow, he built his corporate career at Marks and Spencer Plc where he pioneered the Food Only Store concept and then at Ward White Group Plc, where he was responsible for varying development and marketing functions, up to the acquisition of the company by Boots Plc. He formed Northgate Consultancy, which advised blue chip corporations on strategic development and was involved in, and led, a number of businesses between 1990 – 2000. He became involved in Ben Uri in the late 90s and agreed to lead the development of a new strategic plan to re-invigorate and re-establish the museum, which had effectively been closed to the public since losing its gallery. In October 2000, he was elected Executive Chair and has operated since in this role full time on a pro bono basis. To avoid any personal or corporate conflicts of interest, he withdrew from business in 2001 to focus on creating a new style of museum engagements addressing contemporary issues and social integration through the visual creative arts. He led the 2018 sustainability and public benefit strategy which transforms Ben Uri from physical to digital. 

David is on the Court of the London South Bank University, a member of the Worshipful Company of Art Scholars, and is a Freeman of the City of London.