Leadership, Diversity, and Beyond: A Conversation with Brian Langston

With a 30-year career in policing and a passion for leadership and diversity, Brian Langston QPM has made a lasting impact both in uniform and beyond. In this blog, he reflects on his journey from Assistant Chief Constable to executive coach, sharing insights on leadership, inclusion, and what drives his continued mission to help others thrive.

Brian, can you tell us about your background in policing?

Absolutely. I served with Thames Valley Police for 30 years, working in both uniform and non-uniform roles with the Criminal Investigation Department. I rose through the ranks to become Assistant Chief Constable, where I was responsible for Operations, which included tactical firearms, Royalty protection, and Emergency Planning.

What areas of leadership did you focus on during your service?

I was the strategic lead on leadership and diversity within the force. For many years, I was also the Basic Command Unit Commander for East Berkshire, working closely with the Chief Executives of Slough, Bracknell, and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead on community safety initiatives.

What stands out to you as a significant moment during your policing career?

One key moment was after 9/11, when I pioneered a partnership approach to managing community tension in response to the heightened counter-terrorism operations. It was crucial to build trust during a time of widespread fear and uncertainty.

You’ve long been an advocate for diversity. What drove that commitment?

I’ve always been passionate about equality and inclusion. I remain the first and only officer to have served on the National Executive of both the Black Police Association (BPA) and the Superintendents’ Association. I also founded and chaired both the Thames Valley BPA and the local branch of the Superintendents’ Association.

What have you done to support future leaders within policing?

I’m a qualified ILM Level 7 executive coach and a committed mentor. I established a Superintendents’ Network to support Black and Minority Ethnic talent in progressing into senior ranks in policing. Helping others grow into leadership roles has always been deeply rewarding for me.

Tell us more about your academic and professional development.

I’m a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and a Member of the Institute of Directors. I hold an honours law degree and an MBA from the University of Reading, where I wrote ‘Diversity as a Source of Competitive Advantage’ in 2005. I’ve also completed several leadership programmes, including the Windsor Leadership Trust, the TOPSPOC European Command Course, and in 2008, the Strategic Command Course at Bramshill.

You were awarded the Queen’s Police Medal. What did that recognition mean to you?

It was a great honour to receive the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) in the 2008 Birthday Honours List for my service. When I retired in 2010, I was the most senior BME officer in UK policing, and I remain proud of the work we did to drive change.

What did you do after retiring from the police?

I spent some time as the joint Director of the Footdown School of Coaching & Mentoring in Bath, and then went on to establish Chardonbois Consultancy Ltd, my own business focusing on senior leadership development and executive coaching. I train executive teams in the public, private, and charity sectors, running high-energy events and personal development programmes that aim to improve both individual and team performance and enhance customer service.

You’re also known as a speaker. What topics do you focus on?

I speak internationally on leadership, diversity, and change management, and have delivered sessions across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Sharing my experiences to inspire others is something I truly enjoy. In my spare time, I enjoy writing about leadership, history, mystery, and true crime. I’ve had three books published and contributed a chapter on Inclusive Leadership and Community Confidence to ‘Behavioural Skills for Effective Policing’ (2022).

I’m a qualified practitioner of Jungian Psychometric colour profiling, a tool I use to support peak performance, enhance workplace relationships, build trust, and help teams achieve better business results.

Finally, tell us a bit about life outside of work.

I’m married to Sharon, and we divide our time between Reading in Berkshire and Hérault in the South of France. Life is wonderfully full, and I’m still passionate about helping others grow and succeed.

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