David Trafford

David Trafford joined CRU in 2015, first leading CRU Consulting before accepting the position of Chief Executive Officer for CRU Group in March 2019. Since then, he has sharpened the business’ commercial focus, empowered leaders to build collaborative teams, and worked to build a culture of openness and adaptability. His commitment to providing the utmost client value is matched by his drive to empower ways of working with appreciation of cultural differences.   

With a career beginning in the 1980’s, David has witnessed first-hand natural resource investment and supply-demand cycles through a multitude of market conditions. This wealth of experience, and his unreserved enthusiasm for the sector, has equipped him with an exhaustive knowledge of markets. Now in a position to influence the fundamental drivers of short, medium and long term strategic and financial decisions, David has embraced digital transformation; a vital process to ensure CRU Group continues to provide the best quality data and deepest expertise from the highest quality specialists, across all areas. 

In particular, David recognises that electrification, decarbonisation, and the energy transition are crucial long-term drivers of the mining and metals industry. Underpinned by technological advancement and social change unmatched since the first industrial revolution, these vital processes exceed even the super-cycle driven by China’s urbanisation and industrialisation. 

David brings to CRU Group forty years’ experience in natural resources. Having worked with businesses and financial institutions across the globe, David has a wealth of experience across a multitude of corporate and investment banking divisions. Previous projects span the exploration, development, production and marketing of base and precious metals, bulk commodities, fertiliser minerals and specialist metals. In his advisory role consulting on strategy, financial options, acquisitions, and disposals, David has led transactions on every continent, aiding investors, mining companies and governments. 

Prior to joining CRU Group, David was Global Head of Mining and Metals at Standard Chartered. Previously, he led Macquarie Bank’s European natural resources advisory team and held natural resource-related positions at BNP Paribas, Kleinwort Benson, and Samuel Montagu. In addition, David spent four years in the business development department of Outokumpu Metals and Resources (now Outokumpu oyj).