General Sir Mike Jackson

Sir General Mike Jackson has had an extraordinarily distinguished military career spanning almost 45 years – from officer cadet to Chief of the General Staff, the highest level of the British Army. In this role, Jackson commanded the British Army during the war in Iraq from 2003-2006. He has commanded on operations at almost every level, in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo. Jackson has served in numerous parts of the world, from the arctic to the jungle.

General Jackson began his career in the Intelligence Corps in 1963 specializing in Russian Studies. He then transferred to the Parachute Regiment in the early 1970s and served in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

He commanded 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment from 1984 to 1986. Throughout his period of command, the Battalion was part of the NATO Allied Command Europe Mobile Force. He returned to Northern Ireland in late 1989 to command 39 Infantry Brigade for two and a half years. From 1992 through 1993 he served as in the Director General Personnel Services (Army) for the Ministry of Defence.

Following the success of the Dayton talks, Jackson spent the first half of 1996 in Bosnia commanding IFOR’s Multinational Division (South-West). In 1997, Jackson assumed the appointment of Commander of the ACE Rapid Reaction Corps. With the Rapid Reaction Corps, Jackson deployed as Commander of the Kosovo Force to Macedonia in March 1999 and the Kosovo Force in Pristina from June to October 1999. Jackson assumed the appointment of Commander in Chief Land Command in 2000.

His book, Soldier: The Autobiography, takes you through his illustrious career in the British Army and exemplifies his loyalty, courage and commitment to the British army. His drive, enthusiasm and dominating personality were always popular with his soldiers and drove him to the top of his profession. The book exhibits all the qualities for which Jackson is admired: his professionalism, honesty, directness, exuberance and sense of humor.

Since leaving the Army in late 2006, Jackson has accepted several consultancy and advisory positions with such notable organizations as PA Consulting Group, Numis Securities, Rolls Royce, The International Red Cross and The Risk Advisory Group, among others. In addition, he makes regular media appearances as a commentator on international relations and military affairs.

At the podium, General Jackson employs his unique military and political expertise to relate world events to current business strategies. Jackson draws on his experiences as an Army leader, sharing with audiences what it takes to create an effective team, and identifies the leadership skills necessary to successfully lead it. His experience on the international stage also allows Jackson to provide audiences with a unique view on the conflicts and tensions shaping the world today.

General Jackson was educated at Stamford School, the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Birmingham University, and the Staff College. After a six month course at the National Defence College at Latimer in 1981, he joined the Directing Staff at the Staff College. His two and a half year tour at Camberley included a ten week attachment to the Ministry of Defence during the Falklands conflict. He also served as the Senior Directing Staff (Army) at the Joint Service Defence College, Greenwich. Following the Higher Command and Staff Course at Camberley in early 1989, he then spent six months on a Service Fellowship at Cambridge writing a paper on the future of the British Army.

He is married to Sarah, and has two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.