Neil Connolly was born in Troon on the west coast of Scotland in 1963. After training with the Laing construction group as an engineer and site manager, he spent some time overseas and eventually became a Director of an International Consultancy, and subsequently UK developer. He now runs a practice advising foreign investors predominantly in the UK and Europe.
He was introduced to Freemasonry by his father, who has just celebrated 64 years in masonry, and was initiated into Welwyn Garden City Lodge 5748, in 1991 becoming Master in 2001 and subsequently ADC, and Charity Steward throughout the 2009 Festival.
He was appointed as a Provincial Steward in 2008 and Provincial JGW in 2012. Neil received first appointment to Grand Lodge in 2017 to the rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon.
He is a member of Salisbury Union Lodge 767 and has just completed two years as Master of this, the Hertfordshire University Lodge, and enjoys the uniqueness of their ceremonies. He is also a member of Herts Past Masters Lodge 4090 and Herts Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge 8984. He was exalted into Welwyn Garden City Chapter in 1997 and was MEZ from 2011 to 2013, and appointed Past Provincial Grand Sojourner in 2015. He is also a member of Rose Croix St Albans Chapter 336.
He is married to Maxine and has three daughters; masonry has therefore become his ‘mancave’.
Outside family and masonry he has interests in mountaineering, mixed gas diving, wreck research and malt whisky.
