David Marks MBE FRSA RIBA was educated at the International School of Geneva and the Architectural Association in London. After spending 7 years at Richard Rogers and Partners he co-founded Marks Barfield Architects with Julia Barfield in 1984.

In 1994 David and Julia founded the London Eye Company and demonstrated a sophisticated business capability in which the roles of architect, client and entrepreneur were skillfully combined. The London Eye has become the most popular attraction in the UK and is recognised as a new symbol of London and the UK.

In 2000 David was made an MBE in the Queen’s New Years Honours List, and received the Prince Philip Special Commendation for Outstanding Achievement in Design for Business and Society. In 2001 David was awarded the Faculty of Building Trophy for outstanding work in the field of construction, and Marks Barfield received The Building Architectural Practice of the Year Award. In 2003 Marks Barfield received the Queens Award for Enterprise (Innovation). From 2002 to 2007 David was Chairman of the Waterloo Project Board, a regeneration program in London SE1. In 2007 David was elected a Fellow of the RSA. In 2009 Marks Barfield received the Sports and Leisure Architect of the Year Award.