ARMED FORCES 2 CAPCO

Military service imbues a range of skills that are eminently transferable to the business of financial services consulting.

The UK Armed Forces 2 Capco (AF2C) programme continues to go from strength to strength. Having received a Silver award under the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in 2017, Capco now offers employees two weeks’ paid leave to serve as reservists, the key criteria to qualify for the Scheme’s top-tier Gold award.

Earlier this year Capco Senior Consultant Bobby Stewart, a Major in the Army Reserves, was mobilised in support of Operation RESCRIPT as part of the government response to COVID-19. Read more about Bobby’s experiences via the link below.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Formed in 2013, the scheme initially began as an internship initiative that was established by Capco Managing Principal Pete Mayberry, who had previously served in the Royal Navy. Back then, was at the beginning of what has proved a significant growth journey – at that time the London office comprised just 150 people compared to the 1,100+ consultants we employ there today. Capco saw an opportunity to tap a new source of professionals who bring an array of transferrable skills.

We signed the Armed Forces Covenant and became a member of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in 2015.

To date, AF2C has been the gateway into the world of consulting for 80 individuals drawn from all three services.

“Financial services is a complex and fast-evolving environment and we are always looking for new sources of talent. The AF2C programme enables us to bring seasoned, high-calibre leaders into our business and provides the opportunity to draw upon their many years of training and the experience and skills these individuals have built up during their time in the services.”
James Arnett, Capco’s AF2C sponsoring Partner

THE VALUE

Here are five key benefits we’ve found in hiring ex-military and reservists:

1. Consultants often must identify a problem and then provide the solution, and servicemen and women are well-equipped to deal with situations that are evolving rapidly.

2. Fear of making a decision is also not uncommon in the consulting world, and service personnel are more willing to take a decisive step with a view to course correcting as necessary in the future.

3. We also believe there is a clear parallel between the military and financial services consulting, in terms of working alongside colleagues drawn from different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds. In both professions, you must learn how to assimilate, make connections and build a rapport with everyone.

4. Like Capco, the military invests a lot of time and money inculcating leadership qualities in everyone from the start.

5. Ownership and accountability often comes as second nature to army officers. That trait is highly valued both at Capco and in the wider consulting world.

DECLAN FLOOD: CAPTAIN, ROYAL ENGINEERS

Declan joined Capco in 2016 having been a Captain in the Royal Engineers for six years, during which time he undertook operational tours in the UK and Afghanistan.
ALEX CRUMP: MAJOR, ROYAL MARINES

Alex joined Capco in 2016 after 10 years as an officer in the Royal Marines, latterly holding the rank of Major. He undertook conflict operations in Afghanistan and Somalia alongside staff-based roles that encompassed international work with government departments and agencies as well as NATO and other partners.
CHRIS COWAN: WARFARE OFFICER, ROYAL NAVY

Chris joined Capco in 2018 after eight years in the Royal Navy. As a Warfare Officer, his experience spanned responsibility for key strategic decisions on board the Navy’s surface fleet as well as executive branch duties.
ED BOANAS: LIEUTENANT COLONEL, IRISH GUARDS

Ed joined Capco in 2016 after 23 years’ service in the Army, latterly as the Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Irish Guards in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His military career encompassed a mix of command roles and staff positions within Army Headquarters, the Ministry of Defence and the tri-service Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre.
GARETH BANNING: CHINOOK PILOT, RAF

A budding barrister in training, Gareth changed direction and joined the RAF in August 2001 as a Chinook pilot. The next 13 years took in multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and an evacuation mission in Beirut.
PETER MAYBERRY: NAVIGATION & WARFARE OFFICER, ROYAL NAVY

Peter left the navy in 2008, and while the financial crisis initially curtailed his ambitions in the City, in 2011, he started looking again at roles within financial services.