Donald has worked in the brewing industry for thirty four years - all with the same company but has been through seven name changes from New Zealand Breweries Limited to the current Lion. He has been an IBD Member for 29 of those years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (majoring in geology) from Auckland University in 1972 and following time in the IT industry joined Lion Breweries in 1977.

He started his working life as a packaging supervisor at the Khyber Pass Brewery in Auckland followed by a period in brewing spending three years before moving to his role as QA Manager. He moved to Wellington in 1987 as Head Brewer until its closure and then returned to Auckland in the first of many national roles.

Donald is the sixth overseas IBD President, the third from the Asia Pacific Section and the first from New Zealand. It is fitting that he takes up the presidency in the year in which the country is hosting the rugby world cup - he is hugely passionate about the game and the national team.