Dave Smith is Fielden’s CEO. With over thirty years of experience, Dave has worked internationally with both mature and challenger brands. Dave's previous roles include working with brands such as Smirnoff (he tells his teenage kids that he invented Smirnoff Ice!) and Malibu whilst at Diageo as well as working as Global Brand Director for West Indies Rum Distillery. He then went on to work as Marketing Director for Zeo followed by Directing Brand and Advertising for Betfair.

In 2019, following his period working in the betting and tech space he was looking for a project that would bring him back into the drinks industry, specifically driven by a purpose. A chance meeting whilst walking his dog along the river in Oxford led him to Fielden. In May 2024 he led the team that brought Fielden Rye Whisky to market with Distill Ventures (backed by Diageo) investment. Dave is a member of the Marketing Group of Great Britain.