Staff stories
Dave Tasker – Head of community and leisure
My career journey has been a mix of the unexpected and the familiar. I started out in roles like pizza chef, pea packer, and shop fitter before moving into leisure as a lifeguard and duty manager. I joined Test Valley Borough Council in 1998 as a contract monitor during the days of Compulsory Competitive Tendering, managing leisure and grounds maintenance contracts.
Since then, I’ve progressed through roles including Client Officer, Leisure Manager, and Head of Leisure and Wellbeing, before becoming Head of Community and Leisure. I also spent over 18 months as interim and acting head before being confirmed in post following a two-day competitive process.
What’s kept me here is the variety, the people, and the opportunity to learn. I enjoy working with our communities, residents, stakeholders, and councillors, and I value the role of a public servant. I enjoy problem-solving, listening, and supporting others.
I’ve also had the chance to learn on the job and take up development opportunities that have helped shape my career. Test Valley has always supported my growth, and I genuinely can’t imagine a better place to work.