From the bridge of a Royal Navy frigate to the embassies of Eastern Europe, Neville McNally’s career spans the full spectrum of defence engagement.
With a foundation built on decades of military service, including senior operational and diplomatic roles, Neville now plays a key part in UDSS’s international outreach and engagement efforts. In this edition of In Conversation With, he reflects on the lessons of his naval career, his experience as a Defence Attaché, and the evolving landscape of global defence cooperation.
From Dublin Bay to Defence Diplomacy: A Career at Sea and Beyond
Growing up on the southern shores of Dublin Bay, Neville McNally was always drawn to the sea. Family stories of naval service and the defining impact of the 1982 Falklands Conflict led him to pursue a career in the Royal Navy, where he joined Dartmouth in 1986 and qualified as a logistics officer.
Over the next three decades, Neville served across a diverse range of naval platforms—from frigates and destroyers to aircraft carriers—before taking on increasingly strategic roles. These included running global maritime logistics operations, supporting defence reform efforts in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, and shaping counter-piracy logistics architecture in the Indian Ocean. Along the way, he added two master’s degrees to his résumé and completed multiple deployments in operational, educational, and international liaison roles.
His career culminated with his appointment as Defence Attaché to Romania and the Republic of Moldova, a position that brought his operational experience and diplomatic instincts together.
Inside the Role of a Defence Attaché
“The role of a Defence Attaché is built on three pillars,” Neville explains. “You’re there to enhance UK influence, understand the host nation’s defence landscape, and promote UK economic and industrial growth opportunities.”
Diplomatic skills are vital, he says, especially when articulating national positions. “It’s a role of trust and responsibility. Communication must be clear, and sometimes diplomacy requires direct and difficult conversations.”
Two major events shaped Neville’s tenure as DA: Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the geopolitical reverberations of Brexit. In both cases, UK foreign policy was reinforced through military deployments—boots on the ground, ships at sea, aircraft in the air—to demonstrate solidarity and resilience.
Standout moments included supporting royal visits, such as acting as equerry to the then Prince of Wales at the funeral of King Michael of Romania. “It was a unique privilege to contribute to such a historic and deeply symbolic occasion,” he recalls.
Fostering International Defence Partnerships
Neville’s current role at Universal Defence and Security Solutions allows him to continue building relationships with Defence Attachés—both foreign and UK-based. UDSS’s programme of keynote briefings and strategic dialogue, launched in 2024, has become a valued platform for foreign Defence Attachés in London. Upcoming events will align with key moments in UK defence policy, including the anticipated Strategic Defence Review.
“The key to successful defence engagement,” Neville notes, “is shared interests and sustained dialogue. Relationships are everything.”
Although he treats specific collaborations with discretion, Neville shares that UDSS has worked with a number of foreign governments on defence reform, space capability development, and professional military education. “The depth of our network—over 700 former professionals—means we can offer insight at every level, from from operational and tactical development to strategic policy.”
Defence Engagement: Looking Ahead
As the global strategic environment shifts, Neville sees defence engagement playing an increasingly pivotal role. “We’re entering a period of renewed competition,” he says. “Nations will need to reassess their assumptions, and those who seek external expertise early will be better prepared.”
For those aspiring to follow in his footsteps, Neville offers pragmatic advice. “This role isn’t for the faint-hearted. It demands independence, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to operate 24/7. One moment you’re at a strategic briefing, the next you’re carrying someone’s luggage to the airport. But it’s endlessly rewarding.”
At UDSS, Neville continues to support the UK’s global defence objectives—connecting allies, enabling reform, and helping to shape the next chapter of international cooperation.
Discover more about our global defence engagement work at www.universal-defence.com
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