Our Trust would like to extend a very warm welcome to the new County Commandant for Shropshire Army Cadet Force – we look forward to working with you.

This text is taken from the SACF Facebook page.

“Shropshire Army Cadet Force is thrilled to welcome Colonel Mike Neville as our new County Commandant! We’re excited for the journey ahead and look forward to working alongside you over the next few years.

Your leadership, vision, and passion for developing young people will no doubt inspire us all, and we can’t wait to see the positive transformation and continued growth you’ll bring to our ever-evolving county.

Welcome to the team, Colonel Neville, the future looks bright for Shropshire ACF!

Colonel Neville’s Bio

After leaving school, I embarked on a career in the Regular Army, serving with the Royal Military Police from 1983 to 1988. Following my military service, I joined the Metropolitan Police, where I progressed to the rank of Detective Chief Inspector at New Scotland Yard. My work specialised in using CCTV and imagery to identify and apprehend criminals, leading to the pioneering creation of the world’s first Human Super Recogniser Unit. Today, I continue to support police forces internationally in this field and am a regular television commentator on policing and crime matters.

My association with the Army Cadet Force (ACF) began as a cadet in Bolton, Greater Manchester, where I subsequently served briefly as an instructor before relocating to London. In South East London, I managed cadet units in inner-city communities such as Brixton and Peckham. My leadership roles included Company Commander for Lambeth and Southwark boroughs, followed by Deputy Commandant. Concurrently, I founded a Corps of Drums and Band, eventually becoming the National Training Officer for Cadet Music.

In 2019, I was appointed the first Commandant of Army Cadets Music, overseeing the amalgamation of the Pipes & Drums with the Corps of Drums and Bands. After completing a five-year tenure in this pioneering role, I passed on the responsibility and now serve as Commandant of Shropshire ACF.

Family life is equally important to me. I am a proud parent of four children, two adults and two currently at school. My wife, Aliysha, is a nurse and serves as a Major in the ACF, as well as the Regional Music Advisor for the West Midlands. Together, we are deeply committed to supporting cadet activities.

An author of three books, I regularly deliver charity lectures to raise funds for the cadets. I am also an active Freemason, working to secure donations from lodges to benefit cadet programmes.”