David Cromwell studied mathematics at Warwick University before completing a Masters degree in Operational Research at Lancaster University. On graduating, he had various analytical jobs in health care organisations in the UK, the Netherlands and Australia. For 10 years, he was a researcher at the University of Wollongong, Australia, undertaking projects on various topics, including health care financing, and the coordination of care. He gained his PhD while at Wollongong. Before joining the LSHTM, he worked at the UK Healthcare Commission.