David Newell was born in Glatton and brought up on a farm at Sawtry, both in Huntingdonshire. His education was at Kimbolton School, Huntingdonshire, and Nottingham University, where he obtained a BSc degree in agriculture. David farmed in a family partnership at Sawtry for several years and then graduated into agricultural consultancy with the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, Ministry of Agriculture. He gained wide experience as a consultant in several different parts of the country, ending his career as a divisional manager at Gloucester. Following early retirement due to structural changes in the Advisory Service, David took the opportunity to do some travelling, mainly to Australia and New Zealand. He then went on to train for the Anglican ministry and was ordained as a priest. Since ordination he has served as a part-time minister in a Gloucestershire parish. His family includes his wife, Jean, and they have a son and a daughter, both with their own families.