Major General Colin Richard James Weir MA CB DSO MBE is a retired senior British Army officer whose career has spanned more than three decades of operational and organisational leadership. Born on 2 March 1971 in Portadown, Northern Ireland, he was educated at Portadown College before studying History at Queen’s University, Belfast. He gained his commission from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in 1993 and joined The Royal Irish Regiment.
Weir’s early career included a range of regimental and staff roles, with operational deployments in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and Iraq. His command of the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment from 2010 was a defining period, during which he led the battlegroup on combat operations in Afghanistan. His leadership in Helmand Province earned him the Distinguished Service Order, recognising his leadership during a demanding and complex tour. He had previously been appointed MBE in 2009 for his work establishing a new combat brigade for Afghan operations.
After battalion command, Weir moved through a series of senior appointments. He served as Chief of Staff of the 1st (UK) Division, then as Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, the UK’s Airborne global rapid‑reaction force. He later became Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations) at Permanent Joint Headquarters, where he was involved in the oversight of UK global operations. In 2018 he was promoted to Major General and appointed General Officer Commanding the 1st (UK) Division. His final military role was as Chief of Staff of the Field Army, where he played a central part in shaping operational readiness and supporting the UK’s response to emerging international challenges, including assistance to Ukraine. His service was recognised in 2023 with appointment as Companion of the Order of the Bath.
Weir retired from the Army in 2024 and moved into industry, joining BAE Systems where he now leads the Munitions business. He also completed the Senior Executive Programme at London Business School, reflecting his transition into strategic leadership roles beyond the military.