From Barracks to Boardrooms: How Military Thinking Built My Business
I joined the Parachute Regiment at a time when I did not fully understand what I was capable of. Nine years and several deployments later, I learned lessons that no business degree could teach: resilience under pressure, clear communication, and the importance of trust.
When I left the military, I did not want those skills to go to waste. I wanted to build something meaningful, not just profitable but purposeful.
Learning to Lead Without Rank
In the forces, you quickly realise that leadership is not about shouting the loudest. It is about clarity, calm, and conviction when others are uncertain. That mindset shaped how I run teams today by empowering people to think, not just follow.
Every business I have founded, from Castle International to The British Regeneration Project, has thrived because of people who are encouraged to own their decisions. Military structure taught me the value of accountability, but entrepreneurship taught me the value of flexibility.
Why Veterans Make Exceptional Entrepreneurs
Veterans are problem-solvers. We are trained to operate with limited resources and high stakes. When things go wrong, and in business they often do, we do not panic, we adapt.
Across the UK, thousands of former service personnel are proving this every day, leading construction firms, logistics companies, and charities. Yet the transition from military to civilian life remains one of the most challenging career shifts imaginable.
That is why I have stayed committed to supporting veteran initiatives, from housing through The Block AFF to large-scale charity events that have raised over £200,000.
Giving Back: Purpose Beyond Profit
Our annual clay-pigeon shoot alone now raises around £50,000 a year for military and mental-health charities. From rowing 100 miles across the Leeds–Liverpool Canal to backing Team Cheerfulness in the World’s Toughest Row, every event connects the business community with causes that matter.
I have seen first-hand how that camaraderie carries forward, not just through donations but through action. Veterans bring a quiet reliability that every company needs.
The Power of a Team
Whether in uniform or in business, success depends on the people beside you. I have been fortunate to work with teams that share the same values: discipline, loyalty, and optimism. You cannot train someone to care, but you can create an environment that makes them want to.
The Army taught me to move fast, think clearly, and never underestimate the importance of preparation. Business taught me to pair that with patience. Together, they are an unstoppable combination.