Home Secretary has today
(15 March 2021) welcomed the appointment of David Neal as
the new Independent Chief
Inspector of Borders and Immigration.
The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
is an independent monitoring body sponsored by the
Home Office that
reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of the
immigration, asylum, nationality and customs functions
carried out by the Home Secretary, officials and others on
her behalf.
Mr Neal takes up the role having formerly served as head of
the Royal Military Police and Commander of the 1st Military
Police Brigade.
Home Secretary said:
I congratulate David Neal on his appointment as
Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
and look forward to working with him as he sets his
inspection plan and makes recommendations to drive
improvements across the Border, Immigration and
Citizenship System.
Mr Neal will start his new role on 22 March 2021 and has
been appointed on a 3-year term following a rigorous
recruitment process in line with the Governance Code on
Public Appointments.
David Neal said:
I am delighted to return to public service in such an
important and high-profile role in an area which affects
us all. I am honoured that the Home Secretary has
appointed me as Chief Inspector, a role that is vital in
monitoring and reporting on the efficiency and
effectiveness of our country’s border and immigration
functions. I look forward to leading the team and
continuing to deliver a comprehensive and high-quality
inspection programme.
David Neal’s appointment follows the tenure of David Bolt
who steps down from the role of Independent Chief Inspector
of Borders and Immigration on 21 March 2021.
Career
David Neal was appointed by HM The Queen as the Provost
Marshal (Army) and commanded the 1st Military Police
Brigade from 2016 until 2019.
He led the Royal Military Police through major reforms
including the Service Justice System Review, and was
responsible for Operation Northmoor, the Royal Military
Police investigation into allegations of illegal killings
by British troops in Afghanistan.
From 2015 to 2016 he was the senior Military Police and
Gendarmerie officer in NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.
From 2012 to 2015 he was responsible for the assurance and
inspection of the United Kingdom’s detention facilities
across the world, including in Afghanistan and on Royal
Navy ships.
From 2011 to 2012 Mr Neal was an instructor and mentor at
the Joint Services Command and Staff College educating and
developing UK and international students from the military
and civil service, in preparation for their assumption of
high rank.
Mr Neal graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
in 1994 having read English Literature at Bangor
University. He is a Chartered Security Professional and
Chartered Manager.
