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| Air Marshal Sir Clive Loader | |
|---|---|
| Name | Air Marshal Sir Clive Loader |
| Birth date | 1953 |
| Birth place | Market Harborough, Leicestershire |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Serviceyears | 1973–2009 |
| Rank | Air Marshal |
| Commands | No. 38 Group, Joint Force 2000, RAF Waddington |
Air Marshal Sir Clive Loader (born 1953) is a retired senior officer of the Royal Air Force and a former elected official in Leicestershire. He served in senior United Kingdom defence appointments during operations associated with Gulf War, Kosovo War, and the post-2001 conflicts, before later standing as the first directly elected Police and crime commissioner for Leicestershire Police. His career links him to institutions such as Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), NATO, Royal Air Force Museum, and regional bodies including Leicester City Council and East Midlands civic organisations.
Loader was born in Market Harborough in Leicestershire and educated at local schools before attending Royal Air Force College Cranwell for officer training. He undertook undergraduate and postgraduate studies associated with Cranfield University and staff courses at the Joint Services Command and Staff College and the Royal College of Defence Studies. His formative years connected him with regional institutions such as Market Harborough School, Leicestershire County Cricket Club and the University of Leicester through outreach and community links.
Loader was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1973 and served in a range of operational and staff appointments, with postings to units including RAF Waddington, RAF Marham, and RAF Lakenheath. He held command of flying and support formations including No. 38 Group RAF and contributed to coalition operations during the Gulf War and Kosovo War, and to NATO-led activities in the post-2001 era alongside commands interoperating with United States Air Force, Royal Navy, and British Army elements. Staff appointments tied him to the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), the Permanent Joint Headquarters (United Kingdom), and planning at NATO Allied Command Operations, while professional education involved the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom and liaison with the Cabinet Office (United Kingdom). Promoted to Air Marshal, he served as Director-General roles and was involved in capability development, procurement engagements with industry such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce plc, and strategic planning with partners including NATO Defence Planning Committee and the European Union Military Staff.
Following retirement from the Royal Air Force in 2009, Loader engaged with civic, charitable, and corporate bodies including trusteeships at heritage organisations such as the Royal Air Force Museum and involvement with regional development entities including East Midlands Development Agency and Leicester and Leicestershire Economic Partnership. He accepted non-executive roles with defence-related firms and participated in boards linked to Serco Group-style service providers and aerospace suppliers like Cobham plc and QinetiQ. His community engagements extended to local institutions such as Leicester Tigers, De Montfort University, and veteran support organisations including Royal British Legion and SSAFA.
In 2012 Loader was elected as the inaugural Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire Police, succeeding oversight from Leicestershire Police Authority and interacting with civic bodies including Leicester City Council and the Leicestershire Police and Crime Panel. His term involved commissioning decisions affecting collaboration with neighbouring forces such as Derbyshire Constabulary and Nottinghamshire Police, participation in regional crime reduction partnerships with agencies like National Crime Agency and the Crown Prosecution Service, and oversight of initiatives addressing gang activity, rural policing, and community safety programmes in coordination with bodies such as Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and the Home Office (United Kingdom). Controversies and debates during his term engaged media outlets like the BBC, The Guardian, and local press including the Leicester Mercury. His tenure concluded following the 2016 elections, after which he remained active in civic discussion on policing policy with organisations such as the College of Policing.
Loader was appointed Knight Bachelor in recognition of his service and was invested with honours reflective of senior United Kingdom military awards, including appointments to orders and decorations associated with senior service. He holds qualifications and fellowships from institutions such as Cranfield University and the Royal United Services Institute, and has received ceremonial recognitions from county bodies including Leicestershire County Council and military associations like the Royal Air Force Association.
Category:1953 births Category:Living people Category:Royal Air Force air marshals Category:Knights Bachelor Category:People from Market Harborough Category:Police and crime commissioners in England