David Upfill-Brown graduated from Parnham College in 1981 and moved to Canberra, Australia, where he established a reputation as a designer and maker of fine furniture, working on commissions for domestic and architectural clients.

The arrival of George Ingham to head up the new Canberra School of Art Wood Workshop co-incided with David Upfill-Brown establishing his workshop at Tharwa, near Canberra. Graduates from the newly established school and a very active group of Canberra woodworkers provided the energy and enthusiasm led to a most successful wood Conference at the ANU in 1987 at which David played a major role.

Public commissions include work for the parliaments of Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands. David has an equally strong background in teaching and served as Academic Director and Principal of the Australian School of Fine Furniture for four years before moving to Maine, USA to become the Lead Instructor at the Centre for Furniture Craftsmanship Woodworking School.