A leadership coach has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours.
Neil Jurd, of Kendal, is a former Sandhurst instructor and has received the honour for his work with the Army Cadets.
A former regular army officer, who led Gurkha soldiers on operations in Iraq, Neil held the position of Commandant of Lancashire Army Cadet Force for five years.
During his tenure more than 500 cadets from Lancashire took part in overseas training, including an exchange trip with Barbados cadets which he initiated.
Concerned that some cadets could not afford to participate in activities, Neil created the charity Friends of Lancashire Army Cadets to support disadvantaged cadets.
Neil is now director of initial officer training for Army Cadets UK, and leads a team responsible for the initial training of all Army Cadet Force officers.
Neil said: “I am extremely honoured to have received an OBE. It’s such a lovely way to end the year. There are so many people at the Army Cadets who are deserving of this award, and this is very much for them as well.”
Earlier this year he was one of only 26 people in the UK to receive The British Citizen Award for services to volunteering.
Neil founded the Michelle Jurd Trust in memory of his wife. The charity, under his guidance, has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for several charities, schools and the development and personal growth of young people throughout the North West.
Neil previously dedicated 25 years to the army where he led a number of overseas expeditions including in Sierra Leone and Bosnia.
He also commanded a Gurkha squadron in Iraq in 2006-2007.
Earlier in December Neil launched his first book on leadership – The Leadership Book, A Step-By-Step Guide To Excellent Leadership.
Neil launched a series of leadership videos after transforming his business model during the coronavirus pandemic to offer online coaching for businesses
