David Leakey

Lieutenant-General Arundell David Leakey CMG, CBE (born 1952) is a former British military commander. He was Director General of the European Union Military Staff in the Council of the European Union, Brussels. In 2010 he was appointed Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.

Early life
Leakey was educated at Sherborne School.

Military career
After attending the Royal Military College Sandhurst, Leakey was commissioned into the Royal Tank Regiment as a second lieutenant (on probation) on 27 February 1971. From 4 September 1971 to 1 July 1974 he was a university cadet while he read law at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge. His commission was confirmed on 1 July 1974 with seniority from 1 February 1971. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 July 1974 with seniority from 1 February 1973, and to captain on 1 August 1977. He served in the UK, Northern Ireland, Germany, Bosnia and in Canada in armoured vehicles and in tanks (Chieftain and Challenger).

Having attended the Staff College, Camberley, he was promoted to major on 30 September 1984. He was appointed Chief of Staff at 7th Armoured Brigade (Germany), Military Assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff and then Commanding Officer of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.

He was promoted to colonel on 31 December 1993 with seniority from 30 June 1993. He was then posted to the Ministry of Defence as a Colonel Military Operations. In that role, he was responsible for Operational planning and policy affecting Eastern and Western Europe. In early 1995, he attended the Higher Command and Staff Course. In late 1995, he was the UK's Military Representative at the peace negotiations to end the Bosnian War held in the United States. The successful negotiations resulted in the signing of the Dayton Agreement and an end to the three and a half year long war.

He was promoted to brigadier on 31 December 1995 with seniority from 30 June 1995. He was appointed Commander of 20th Armoured Brigade in Germany in 1996. With his brigade, he was posted to the former Yugoslavia from 21 December 1996 to 20 June 1997. He returned to the Ministry of Defence as Director of Military Operations from July 1997 to December 1999.

In 2000, he attended the Royal College of Defence Studies. He was Chief of Staff at Headquarters Northern Ireland from February to December 2001. He was promoted to major general on 15 December 2001. From December 2001 to October 2004, he was Director General of Army Training and Recruiting. On 6 October 2004, he was appointed Commander of European Union Force Althea, the European Union peacekeeping force, which replaced the NATO-led SFOR in Bosnia and Hercegovina. He was promoted to lieutenant general on 28 February 2007. From 1 March 2007 until 2010, he was Director General of the European Union Military Staff in Brussels.

He retired from the military on 22 September 2010.

Later life
Leakey was appointed as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in the House of Lords from 21 December 2010.

Personal life
Leakey is a Governor of the National Children's Orchestra. He is an amateur piano player and singer. He is married with two sons. He enjoys playing squash, tennis, golf, most field sports, chain sawing and classical music.

Honours and decorations
On 5 December 1997, Leakey was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in former Yugoslavia during the period 21st December 1996 to 20th June 1997". He was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service on 19 April 2002 "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Northern Ireland during period 1st April 2001 to 30th September 2001". On 24 March 2006, he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the former Yugoslavia during the period 1st April to 30th September 2005".

He was Colonel Commandant of the Royal Tank Regiment from 21 August 2006 to 30 July 2010 and previously Deputy Colonel Commandant since 16 July 1999. He is Honorary Colonel of the Dorset Yeomanry, and Colonel of Cadet Force Music.