Michael Fuller first came to prominence in 2004 when he became Britain’s first black Chief Constable. He served in this position for Kent Police until 2010 where he successfully led the force’s response to the Calais migration crisis and the channel tunnel fire. He has also worked with European police forces to counter Islamist radicalisation and avert terrorist incidents.
Michael Fuller also led the police response to the biggest cash robbery in Britain at the time where a group of people stole £53 million from the Securitas depot in Kent; he was instrumental in the successful prosecution of the key criminals.
Michael Fuller did not have an easy start to life. His parents were part of the Windrush Generation who came to the UK in the late-fifties; the couple split when Michael was 18 months old. Sadly, social services were forced to remove him from his mother because of neglect which was so bad he spent three months in hospital. He was then placed in a care home in Kent where he was cared by Margaret Hurst, who he would go on to develop a very close bond with.
Even from a very young age, Michael was determined to be part of a police force, helping those disadvantaged in society. He joined the Metropolitan Police Service as a cadet when he was 16 years old and went on to serve in some of the most demanding uniformed and detective roles throughout London, including several years at New Scotland Yard.
During his time in the police, he was instrumental in setting up the Racial and Violent Crime Task Force and wrote the Met Police Action Plan in response to the criticism arising from the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. He also set up and commanded the Operation Trident command unit, which successfully reduced gun crime in London and oversaw numerous high profile murder investigations.
In 2004, Michael Fuller was made Chief Constable of Kent Police where he led a team of over 7,000 staff and managed a budget of £300 million.
By the time he retired from a 34 year career, Kent had 263 more officers and crime had been reduced by 22%. He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal upon leaving, and also received awards for his diversity management from the National Black Police Association and Personnel Today.
The Kent Police also reached 4th place in the national Stonewall Gay Friendly Employers’ Index. Under his leadership, Kent was highlighted by Her Majesty’s Police Inspectorate as one of the most improve police forces within England and Wales.
Having qualified as a Barrister while serving as a Chief Constable, in 2010 he was appointed as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service. In this role, he was responsible for inspecting the performance of both the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office. He reportedly directly to the Attorney General and Parliament and left in 2015. In 2020 he was made a non-executive director for the UK Home Office.
Throughout his policing career, Michael has maintained a strong commitment to self-development and he holds several various academic qualifications including a BA (Hons) degree in Social Psychology, Postgraduate diplomas in Law, Marketing and Criminology, Masters degrees in Business Administration and Legal Practice.
He was named G2’s Man of the Year in 2002 and on the 100 Great Black Britons list in 2003.
In 2019 he published the bestselling book Kill the Black One First, which provided an insight into his career, the adversity he faced being a minority in the forces and the ways in which he approaches serious crime – the book was so successful it ended up in the top 25 books on English Criminal Law on Amazon. 2020 saw the release of A Search for Belonging, which saw him explore the displacement he felt growing up in care and entering a white-dominated profession.
Upon retirement in 2015, he established the Michael Fuller Consultancy Limited. As owner of the company, he advises police forces, UK and foreign governments on criminal justice, prosecution and police transformation. He also advises TV and film production companies on police matters and is a popular public speaker on diversity and inclusion issues.
Michael Fuller has inspired and captivated audiences through giving a candid insight into his leadership journey during his distinguished police career. He outlines how, having come from humble beginnings, he overcame setbacks and adversity as he rose through the ranks to the very top of the police service and became Britain’s first black Chief Constable.
He is most passionate about helping businesses tackle workplace bias, prejudice and diversity issues:
“I think the thing that businesses need to do is focus on fairness and fair treatment. Everybody, whoever they are, whatever colour or sexual orientation, should be treated fairly…When you have that feeling of inclusion and belonging, and when your views are actually listened to and responded, you feel part of that organisation and you’re inspired. Certainly in the last two organisations I ran, when I managed to actually build that environment, both organisations became very, very successful and the performance improved exponentially.”
– Adversity
– Diversity and Equality
– Leadership
– Teamwork
– Race and Black History Month
– The Police Force
Never have I come across a more inspirational story, a more authentic leader or a more genuine person as Michael. He was mesmerising and awe inspiring but the most admirable qualities of all are his integrity and humility.
Leaders Worth Knowing
The openness and honesty with which you spoke about your own leadership journey, and the challenges you have faced, was greatly appreciated by all the participants. Your clarity of vision, passion for your people, and drive to achieve tangible results struck a powerful note with all those present and gave them much to discuss.
Windsor Leadership Trust
The talk was a huge success, with a great attendance. The audience found Michael’s talk truly inspirational and were truly amazed by his story and how he rose above all his challenges. We were extremely humbled by his time this afternoon – and didn’t want it to end.
Kavita
The students felt Michael could relate to them. He gave them belief in their ability to achieve their goals. He was inspirational.
West Thames College
Michael was an excellent speaker and was well received. A number of people fed back to me that they really valued his insight and candour.
Ministry of Defence
Absorbing…revealing and affecting. There are pleasures here, and lessons to be learnt, whatever colour you are.
The Sunday Times
Michael Fuller is an extraordinary man with a remarkable and interesting story.
Helen Mirren