We are sponsoring a free facilities management careers event exclusively for those who are about to leave, or have left, the Armed Services and are seeking a new challenge, as FM can be a particularly good fit for those with a services background.
The event, hosted by ThisWeekinFM at Old Trafford, in Manchester, on March 10, aims to showcase the many opportunities available within FM.
Our London Regional Director, Gregory Dingle, is one of those to have made the switch. He joined the Royal Logistics Corps (formerly ACC) as an apprentice chef at the age of 16 and reached the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1, before finally leaving the Army in September 2012, aged 40.
Greg served as a chef in many front-line units including 1st Battalion Kings Own Royal Borders, 45 Commando, 22 and 38 Royal Engineers, 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, 1st Battalion Irish Guards and finally within Headquarters Aldershot Garrison.
He was deployed in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Belize and with the United Nations in Cyprus and also on training exercises in Canada, America, Malaysia, Belize, Kenya and Germany.
‘My last role was to manage a large PFI contract in the military base areas of Aldershot, Tidworth, Bulford and Warminster,’ he said.
‘Essentially, I was prepping the estate for Regiments returning from Germany with their families.
‘It was not as exciting or glamorous as some of my previous roles, but I realised this was an opportunity prepare for life outside the military.
‘I was the only one in uniform and I was mixing it up with contractors, so it seemed the right time to take that step.
‘After drawing up list of my skills, I contacted recruitment agencies and swiftly got a job, first as a site manager, and eventually as director, for facilities management company Servest, now Atalian Servest, working in distribution and retail.
‘I came to Churchill because I wanted a change of role/environment but also because Churchill’s approach was so radically different. Great people make a great company.
‘My military training has served me well in FM, as the Army gives you confidence and core skills that get refined over time. As they say, ‘every day is a school day,’ and you can always learn more.
‘I have experienced a great deal in my time in FM and I’m very keen in progressing beyond my current role.
‘This industry, and Churchill in particular, offer an amazing opportunity to test yourself and achieve more than you thought possible, but you have to be prepared to give it your all.’
If you enjoyed this post, maybe you’d like to meet some more of our veterans: