David Wigley was born in Stratford upon Avon, and educated at Cirencester Grammar School, Gloucestershire.   After studying at the Guildhall School of Music, London, and at Bretton Hall, he became a grammar school teacher in Nottinghamshire, a college lecturer in Lincolnshire, and, in 1967, Assistant County Music Adviser in Lincolnshire.   In 1970, he was appointed County Music Adviser for the East Riding of Yorkshire, and was the youngest music adviser in the country at that time.

After a period as a Senior General Adviser, he was appointed County Director of Creative and Performing Arts for Humberside in 1987.   In 1993, he became an Ofsted Inspector of Performing Arts, and over the following twelve years inspected music, drama, dance, media studies, citizenship and school governance in almost three hundred comprehensive schools across the country.   He was also lead inspector of teams in the inspection of sixth forms.

David has had a wide range of experiences.   He has been chair of trustees of the Firebird Trust, Nottingham, dance consultant to the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Arts Board, education consultant to, and supervisor of Bretton Hall postgraduate music students, chairman of the Humberside Branch of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, founder member and trustee of Humberside Theatre in Education, member of both the music and education panels of the Lincolnshire and Humberside Regional Arts Association, music adjudicator at music festivals all over the country, and conductor of county youth orchestras and choirs in three different local authorities.   He has conducted on radio and television in this country, in Canada, in Scandinavia and in many European countries.

Although now retired, David continues to be President of the East Riding County Choir, Chair of Governors of Longcroft School and Performing Arts College, Beverley, and conductor of the Melsa Consort.   He holds an M.Phil in arts education, an M.Sc. in education management, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.