Neil is a Practitioner Associate in the Department of Politics and International Relations, with an interest in all aspects of leadership. His focus is on the human dynamics of leadership and the qualities of character that enable leaders to build trust, think with clarity, embrace diversity, empower others, and persevere through difficult times.
Neil has over three decades of practical leadership experience in often challenging circumstances. Prior to joining the University, Neil spent a full career as a professional soldier in the British Army. Commissioned as an infantry officer in 1990, he has commanded on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Cyprus, Iraq and Afghanistan at every level up to Commander British Land Forces for the United Kingdom’s counter-Daesh operation in Iraq and Syria.
Aside from commanding forces on operations, Neil has served on the General Staff, held responsibility for United Kingdom land force pre-deployment training and been a director at the Joint Services Command and Staff College. He is the author of the current edition of ‘Fieldcraft’, a component of the British military’s tactical doctrine for land operations.
Neil has a Masters degree in Defence Studies and postgraduate qualifications in Military Science and Higher and Professional Education. He is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and was awarded the NATO Meritorious Service Medal for service in Afghanistan.
