Discover Neil’s journey and the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership development.
Neil is a former British Army officer and Sandhurst instructor who served in operational theatres including Sierra Leone, Iraq and Yemen. After leaving the army, he turned his focus to leadership development, founding Leader-Connect, a training company delivering accredited online and residential courses. He’s a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management, an Entrepreneur in Residence and Honorary Teaching Fellow at Lancaster University, and a TEDx speaker. His practical, human approach to leadership has influenced schools, businesses, and organisations in the UK and overseas.
Neil’s work has been widely recognised. In 2020, he received the British Citizen Award at the House of Lords for founding the Michelle Jurd Trust, which funds character education for young people. A year later he was awarded an OBE for leadership development as Head of Officer Training for the Army Cadet Force, presented at Windsor Castle by the then Prince Charles. Alongside running Leader-Connect, Neil continues to serve as Director of Initial Officer Training for the Army Cadets UK and remains dedicated to helping the next generation of leaders grow in confidence and character.
The Michelle Jurd Trust was founded in memory of Squadron Leader Michelle Jurd, an RAF helicopter pilot and adventurer who believed in the power of challenge and exploration to shape lives. Michelle lived life to the full. The Trust carries her ethos forward by giving young people across Cumbria and the South Lakes access to adventures they might never otherwise experience.
Our mission is simple: changing aspiration through adventure. Through outdoor challenges and cultural exploration, children learn resilience, confidence and skills that will stay with them as they grow.
Over the past decade, we’ve helped thousands of young people take part in life-changing opportunities through schools and community programmes. We’ve also supported veterans through partnerships with military charities such as the Not Forgotten Association, the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
If you would like to find out more about Neil or the Leadership Training Courses & Services which he offers then just drop him a line to contact@neiljurd.com or fill in the below contact form.