David Gustave

David Gustave, known as Dawood Gustave (February 23, 1967), is a British businessman, lawyer, former youth advocate and one-time political figure.

Early life and education

Gustave is of mixed Irish and St. Lucian heritage. He was raised in Peckham, London where he suffered verbal and physical abuse from neighbours.^[1] At 16,he left school. That same year, unable to cope with a difficult relationship with his father, he also left home.^[1]

At age 30, Gustave enrolled in an adult education course where he took ‘A’ level and undergraduate equivalency courses.^[1] Among the external readers of a research paper he wrote was an Oxford University professor who encouraged him to apply to Oxford. At age 32, Gustave enrolled as an undergraduate to study history at Wadham College.^[2]

Career

After Oxford, Gustave won a number of scholarships from the Middle Temple to pursue a career at the Bar. ^[2] He started working with young gang members at Kids Company as an Educational Motivator.^[3]

Gustave has been described as a ‘Social Visionary’.^[2] He was featured in Channel 4's ‘Disarming Britain’ debate alongside Dawn Butler, Dominic Grieve and Peter Hitchens^[4] and in the ‘CNN Heroes’ Series alongside Russell Symonds.^[5]

Gustave states ‘he is not content with fulfilling his own ambitions, but is determined to help others to set and reach theirs’.^[2] Gustave has been described in the media as the ‘British Obama’^[1][6][7] Gustave is a member of the Labour Party.^[2]

Gustave founded Reluctantly Brave^[8] in 2012^[9] to guide leaders and businesses to reach braver goals - to be successful through being their true, radically authentic selves. As CEO of Reluctantly Brave he advises companies from start-ups to multinationals on leadership, strategy and creativity.^[10]

Awards and honours

• 2018: Financial Times / EMPower Top 100 Ethnic Minority Leaders, placed 30th^[11][12]
• 2017: Financial Times / EMPower Top 100 Ethnic Minority Leaders, placed 62nd^[13][14]
• 2009: One of the 100 people who make Britain a happier place.^[15]
• 2008: Evening Standard's list of the 1000 most influential people in London^[16]