News

Tomorrow (Saturday 28th June) marks Armed Forces Day, an annual celebration dedicated to showing our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. This includes currently serving troops and service families, veterans and cadets. 

Across the business we have a valued and growing team of Service leavers. We recognise the vast array of transferable and unique skills that they bring, not only to the business but to the industry. 

Within our recruitment process, we continue to highlight and encourage Armed Forces leavers and to provide support throughout our growing community. 

As we prepare to celebrate Armed Forces Day, we introduce two of our own team, Sam Nash and Kevin Cuthbert, who discuss their own experiences and transition into their careers. 

Sam Nash (Senior NEC Supervisor) 

Prior to joining the industry, and now in his current role of Senior NEC Supervisor, Sam served in the REME as part of the Light Aid Detachment attached to 3rd Battalion Royal Anglians, HQ Company, based in Bury St Edmunds. He said ‘I took part in a wide range of training exercises and spent time in BATUS, providing recovery mechanic support, often working in tough conditions to recover and repair vehicles in the field.’ 

Sam said ‘The M25 is one of the most heavily trafficked strategic road networks in the UK and the scale, complexity, and pressure of delivering renewals and maintenance work here is unique.  

The ability to maintain calm under pressure and make clear decisions is a key strength that ex-forces personnel bring. The operational mindset of getting things done safely and efficiently, often in challenging circumstances, translates very well to our world. My hands-on, problem-solving background has influenced how I approach supervision today. 

To other people considering a role in the industry, I would encourage them. Managing and delivering works on a strategic road network of this size is a great opportunity to apply the leadership, discipline, and teamwork skills gained in service life. It’s a role where being adaptable and solutions-focused is valued, qualities that ex-service people tend to have in abundance.’ 

Upon discussing what challenges ex-service personnel face, Sam said ‘one challenge is adjusting to a commercial environment, the language and priorities of civvy street can take time to get used to. Some ex-service personnel can initially find it hard to translate their skills and experience into civilian job descriptions. However, through good communication, a bit of patience on both sides, and recognising that while the context may be different; the underlying leadership and operational skills are very transferable. Support from mentors inside the business also helps hugely.’ 

Kevin Cuthbert (Shift Manager)

Kevin has been in his role of Shift Manager at the Dartford depot for just over two years, describing it as ‘a busy but rewarding role that requires strong leadership and organisation.’

Kevin shared what initially attracted him to the M25 project 'What stood out for me was the uniqueness of the site. The Dartford Crossing is internationally recognised, and the role offered an incredible variety, managing different contractors and coordinating scheduled maintenance across such a major infrastructure asset.

I have served in the Armed Forces for 24 years, working my way through each level of management to Senior Non-Commissioned Officer. I was a line manager for a Platoon with flexible numbers ranging from 60-140 personnel, with numbers changing daily depending on where trainees were within their course pipeline. I have also managed a workshop of engineers maintaining a vehicle fleet so that its ready for any situation.'

On discussing transferable skills, Kevin said: 'From what I have learned so far, our management, leadership, organisational ability and communication skills are very transferable and very in demand outside the Army. I believe this is because we start all these skills from when we first join the military. I also think we are very motivated people and always have a positive mind on how best to get the job done.'

Kevin’s shares his advice to others considering joining the industry from the services: ‘There is clear mission statement for the M25 network working with CPS and being from the military having a clear idea of what needs to be achieved and how to go about it is very important. Since joining CPS everyone has been really accommodating to me knowing my background is military, this could have been an anxious time for me with it being the biggest change in my life for 24 years, but everyone has been friendly and helping me with the adjustment and giving me the best opportunity to succeed.’

He continued: 'It can be a bit daunting knowing that you are now having to change careers after spending so long in the military, so the biggest challenge was CV writing and job interviews. ​​I think the earlier you start your CV writing the better, start before you are contemplating leaving the Military because it’s hard to look back over 24 years and remember everything you have done from a management point of view.'

Kevin also discusses the industry and its support for service leavers, he said: ‘I was pleasantly surprised when going to recruitment fairs how engaging the industry was in trying to recruit me especially as it is a different engineering field that I was employed in. the recruiters were showing me jobs and career paths I hadn’t even thought about and how the skills I had were transferrable to civil engineering.’

To join our M25 team, see our full list of current vacancies  here.