Lt/Col Ben Beasley Receives Fellow Grade

Lieutenant Colonel Ben Beasley, Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment [RBR], has been awarded the Fellow grade by the Institute of Leadership.

A spokesperson said, “The acclaimed Institute of Leadership has awarded the Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment its Fellow grade – the most prestigious – testifying to significant achievements made by the RBR in recent years.

“Lieutenant Colonel Ben Beasley became the first Regiment CO to earn the accolade, which would usually take holders of the military rank an additional two years to secure.

“The recognition highlights how soldiers and officers can embrace opportunities throughout their service to gain accreditations as they develop personally and professionally.”

Lt Col Beasley said: “I have been a member of the Institute of Leadership for many years and have used its resources to help guide me as the Commanding Officer.

“Although my British Army colleagues normally have to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel for five years, the Institute accepted my application after three years, which recognised our unique challenges in Bermuda and the significant achievements we have made recently.

“I am honoured to receive this recognition, and I look forward to giving back through the Fellowship programme. It was a robust process of providing evidence of leadership across numerous projects and demonstrating positive results.”

The spokesperson said, “The Institute of Leadership is a professional membership body for an international community of more than 50,000 leaders, managers, coaches and mentors. It offers resources to help its members develop confidence, overcome challenges, and advance.

“Successful applicants receive the distinguished Fellow grade after a thorough process that culminates in consideration by a panel.”

Lt Col Beasley said: “The RBR commits to providing the best training we can to our personnel. Often, that means bringing in external trainers or sending soldiers overseas for leadership, command or technical training. They learn tangible skills which are essential in their military service and of great benefit in their primary employment.

“While some military courses may not be externally accredited, they form part of a wider development process recognised by organisations such as the Institute of Leadership or the Chartered Management Institute, which strongly support service personnel.”

The spokesperson said, “Funding for soldiers to pursue personal development opportunities is also provided by the Regiment through its Learning Credit programme, which supports courses that may not be specifically required for RBR roles but have a tangible benefit to the employability of members in both their military and civilian careers.

“The RBR’s position as a standalone battalion that does not fall under a higher formation – as is typical for a British reserve unit – can result in obstacles that often require ingenuity and resourcefulness to overcome.

“Successes in recent years include the launch of a highly-credible Coast Guard unit; supporting the development of other British Overseas Territory forces through training on the island and abroad; and the mobilisation of soldiers during Covid, which became the longest operation by Bermuda forces since the Second World War. Additionally, the island’s first female soldiers in three decades completed tough officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.”

Lt Col Beasley highlighted: “All of these would not be possible without highly competent officers, Senior Non-Commissioned Officers and soldiers, most of whom give up their free time in order to serve their country.

“In return we offer an exciting military career comprised of travel, adventure, competitive pay and an espirit de corps not found in any other organisation.”

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