David Warren was born on 11 August 1952, son of Alister Charles Warren and Celia Warren (née Golding). He was educated at Epsom College and Exeter College, University of Oxford (MA English; Hon. Fellow, 2012; President, Oxford Union Society, 1973). In 1992, he married Pamela, daughter of Benjamin Ivan Pritchard and Violet Pritchard (née Sherman).

Warren entered HM Diplomatic Service in 1975, and his career included the following: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1975–77; Third, later Second, then First Secretary, Tokyo, 1977–81; FCO, 1981–87; First Secretary and Head of Chancery, Nairobi, 1987–90; FCO, 1990–91; on secondment as Head, International Division, Science and Technology Secretariat, later OST, then OPSS, Cabinet Office, 1991–93; Counsellor (Commercial), Tokyo, 1993–98; Head, Hong Kong Department, later China Hong Kong Department, FCO, 1998–2000; Director, Trade Partners UK, British Trade International, subsequently UK Trade and Investment, 2000–04; Director, HR, FCO, 2004–07; Ambassador to Japan, 2008–12.