More than
one lane.
I’m Neil Bentley. My path has taken me through broadcasting, music education, business and public service. The common thread is people — and the chance to make a useful difference.
Not a straight line.
The route from Lancashire to Shropshire has taken me through radio and media, music education, business, governance and elected public service. I don’t think one role tells the whole story.
Today I own NFB Property, chair All About Youth, serve in school and charity governance, and represent the Cheswardine division on Shropshire Council. Each role offers a different way to work with people and ideas.
The winding route.
It hasn’t followed a neat plan. One thing has tended to lead to another, with different places, interesting people and unexpected opportunities bringing new experiences and shaping the journey along the way.
Where it began.
Lancashire is where the story starts. It gave me my roots, while curiosity kept pulling me towards different places and possibilities.
Where it beganFromLancashire.
Finding a voice.
Radio and media brought me into a world of stories, sound and people. It sparked a lasting interest in communicating ideas and making connections.
Broadcasting rootsONAIR.
Taking the lead.
Music education became a substantial part of my professional life. Educational leadership taught me what can happen when talent is supported allowing people and students room to grow.
Learn.
Lead.
Making a home.
After leaving the education sector, business became another part of the picture. Our amazing village in rural North Shropshire became home, a place to build a life, to put down roots and to grow my property business – NFB Property.
Cheswardine, ShropshireHOME.Helping good things happen.
Today I chair All About Youth and contribute to school and charity governance across Shropshire. I value the work behind the scenes: asking good questions, backing capable people, providing constructive challenge and helping organisations make a genuine difference to the communities they serve.
All About YouthSHOWUP.
Representing my community.
Representing the place I call home means staying connected to the people and communities around me – listening, getting involved and helping make sure local priorities are heard.
Public serviceLOCALVOICES.
There’s usually something new taking shape – a project, an idea or a story worth sharing.
See my LinkedIn ↗Different roles.
One person.
Each part of my work has its own purpose. Together, they reflect the people and places I care about — and the experience I can bring to what comes next.
Public
service.
I represent Cheswardine, Childs Ercall, Hinstock and Sutton upon Tern on Shropshire Council, and continue to serve as a Cheswardine Parish Councillor. Listening to local people and making sure rural communities are heard is at the heart of the role.
Charity &
governance.
As Chair of All About Youth, I work with volunteer trustees, staff and partners to support youth work across Shropshire. I enjoy the practical side of governance: asking useful questions, helping boards navigate change and keeping the people an organisation serves firmly in view.
Education.
I chair the Local Governing Committee for Cheswardine and Hinstock Primary Schools. My earlier professional background in education leadership and music still shapes how I think about learning, leadership and opportunity.
Business &
creative.
I own NFB Property. Alongside business, my experience and interests reach back through radio, media and music — and forward into creative projects and new ideas.