From military service to supporting communities: Meet Fedcap’s new Head of Estates & Safety

As the UK marks Armed Forces Day, we’re celebrating the people whose commitment to service continues long after they leave the military.

One of those people is Dave, who recently joined us as Head of Estates & Safety after spending 26 years in the British Army.

Growing up in an Army family, service has always been part of Dave’s life. While his career has taken a different direction, the values that shaped his time in the military – integrity, teamwork, discipline and putting people first – continue to guide everything he does.

“The transition into civilian employment was more daunting than I expected,” Dave said. “I’d never had a job interview. All my qualifications were military, and I genuinely wondered what transferable skills I had.”

Like many veterans, Dave found that leaving the Armed Forces meant adapting to a completely different way of working. While career workshops helped him prepare a CV, he says nothing truly prepares you for leaving behind a career that has defined so much of your life.

Looking back, however, the skills he gained through military service have been invaluable.

“People have always said the same thing to me – you get things done, you care about people and you look after your team.”

Those qualities have led Dave through several purpose-driven organisations, including the National Trust, NHS Property Services and Yorkshire Cancer Research, before joining us at Fedcap.

“I’ve naturally gravitated towards charities and not-for-profit organisations because I wanted to do something where I was giving something back.”

Although employability was a new sector, Fedcap’s mission immediately stood out.

“What surprised me most was the pace. You’re supporting thousands of people through major contracts, but the common thread is always the people. Everyone I’ve met has been welcoming, supportive and completely focused on helping customers.”

A recent visit to our Staines office reinforced exactly why that work matters.

“Hearing Employment Advisers supporting customers reminded me what all the behind-the-scenes work is really for. It’s easy to feel removed from the frontline until you hear those conversations and see the difference they’re making.”

On Armed Forces Day, Dave believes it’s an important opportunity to recognise not only those currently serving, but also the many veterans who continue making a difference in their communities.

“It’s wonderful to see veterans recognised. Years ago, many people left quietly with little acknowledgement. Today there’s a much greater appreciation for service, and that’s something we should never take for granted.”

Dave is also keen to build on our longstanding commitment to supporting veterans and helping people overcome barriers to employment.

“I’d love to become more involved in how we support veterans. There are fantastic networks available, and there’s a real opportunity to help veterans understand what’s available to them as they transition into civilian life.”

As he settles into his new role, Dave is focused on creating safe, welcoming environments where our colleagues can thrive and customers receive the very best support.

For Dave, service hasn’t ended – it has simply found a new purpose.