Neal was educated at King William’s College and left school in 1959 to join the family Stockbroking business, founded by his father in 1946. In 1961 he gained valuable experience in London by working for a major firm as a ‘blue button’ on the floor of the Exchange. He was elected member of the Provisional Brokers Stock Exchange in 1965, which later merged with the London Stock Exchange in 1982.

Neal became Senior Partner of Ramsey Crookall & Co in 1974, a position held until 2009. Neal has overseen the development of the business for over 60 years and now holds the role of non-executive chairman.

In March 2013, Neal was presented with the City of London Lifetime Achievement Award for services to the Industry. The award was presented by the Rt Hon Lord (Norman) Lamont, former Chancellor of Exchequer, and Brian Winterflood, President of Winterflood Securities, at the Guildhall in London.