Armed Forces Week 2025 Mentor Andrew Stevenson
Andrew is Chair of our Armed Forces Affinity Group, and has been actively involved in mentoring service leavers as they take their first steps towards new careers beyond the military.
At Willmott Dixon, we’re proud to be a long-standing supporter of BuildForce, a collaborative initiative that helps ex-military personnel transition into civilian careers within construction.
Personally, I’ve got 15 years’ service in the armed forces - during that time I completed multiple tours of duty with the British Army including deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
I'm now a Regional Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Lead, and most recently, I have been supporting Craig Burke, a highly-experienced individual who is currently on terminal leave - a paid period to support resettlement - from the British Army after 24 years. As a Warrant Officer for the Royal Engineers, Craig has developed a broad range of skills and leadership qualities that are directly transferable to roles in construction, particularly within SHE.
As part of Craig’s resettlement journey, he has proactively pursued relevant civilian qualifications. Armed with this strong foundation, he is now looking to gain hands-on experience in the SHE discipline, to support employment opportunities in the Midlands.
Through BuildForce, service leavers like Craig are introduced to industry mentors. I conduct tailored one-to-one sessions to understand each individual’s needs, goals, and current qualifications. From there, I offer bespoke support that can include CV writing and interview preparation, industry insight and role expectations, personal mentoring, and work experience placements, where possible.
Our efforts often extend across and beyond Willmott Dixon, with engagement from supply chain partners to provide even broader opportunities. In Craig’s case, I have connected him with three SHE Managers in the Midlands, further supporting the transition from military to civilian employment.
In Craig’s own words:
“One of the biggest hurdles I’ve faced in finding a new career is that companies often want ‘industry experience’ - but it’s difficult to translate 24 years of military experience into something that ticks that box. That’s where BuildForce and companies like Willmott Dixon make a real difference.
My time spent shadowing Andrew was extremely valuable. I gained real insight into how the construction industry operates and met several key contacts. This kind of mentoring and networking helps service leavers like me to demonstrate our capabilities and adaptability, and I’d encourage any company to take a closer look at the potential within the ex-military talent pool.”
A two-way benefit
Being a mentor is something I find incredibly rewarding. I’ve worked with several service leavers over the years, and every single one brings a unique perspective, an exceptional work ethic, and a willingness to learn. The key to helping them bridge the gap between military and civilian life isn’t just about offering advice - it’s about recognising their value and giving them the confidence and opportunity to show it.
Our partnership with BuildForce continues to play a key role in attracting, mentoring, and developing future talent from the armed forces.
Find out more about opportunities for the armed forces community at Willmott Dixon.