A leadership certification awarded to the Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment was said to have recognised significant achievements made by the RBR in recent years.

The Institute of Leadership granted its Fellow grade — the organisation’s most prestigious — to Lieutenant-Colonel Ben Beasley.

He 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 RBR said the recognition highlighted how soldiers and officers can embrace opportunities throughout service to gain accreditations as they develop personally and professionally.

Colonel Beasley explained: “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 Institute of Leadership is an international group of professional leaders that includes more than 50,000 managers, coaches and mentors.

It offers resources to help members to develop confidence and overcome challenges.

Applicants of a Fellow grade are reviewed during a rigorous process that ends in consideration by a panel.

Colonel 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 RBR said that funding for soldiers to pursue personal development opportunities is also provided through the regiment’s Learning Credit programme, which supports courses that may not be specifically required for RBR roles but boost the employability of members in both their military and civilian careers.

A statement added that the regiment’s position as a stand-alone battalion that does not fall under a higher formation — which would be typical for a British reserve unit — can result in obstacles that often require ingenuity and resourcefulness to overcome.

It said: “Successes in recent years include the launch of a highly credible coastguard 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.”

Colonel Beasley added: “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 esprit de corps not found in any other organisation.”

• For more information about the Royal Bermuda Regiment or to join, visit bermudaregiment.bm or call 238-1045