Armed Forces Week 2025 Time out with Matt Mullins

We celebrate the ongoing commitment of our armed forces community, sharing their stories and achievements. We caught up with Matt to find out more about his experiences across his business and military roles.

Can you tell us a bit more about your experience in the Royal Navy?

I was an Able Seaman Aeronautical Engineering Technician, and I was in the Navy for six years. I started basic training at HMS Raleigh in Plymouth, and on completion I was based at HMS Sultan in Portsmouth where I conducted my trade training working and learning on old Sea King and Lynx helicopters, and later at HMS Heron in Yeovilton.

After qualification I was looking after the day-to-day maintenance and servicing of aircraft. I also trained as a search and rescue winchman, being lowered from the aircraft to help people in need at sea and on land.

I was assigned to a flight and ship, HMS Duncan, and conducted a nine-month deployment in the Middle East supporting operations of the American carrier, Teddy Roosevelt. This included flying operations daily at sea, maintenance, and loading weapons onto the aircraft including sea skua missiles, torpedoes and machine guns.

While on board I was also part of the force protection during restricted sailing operations through the Suez Canal and straits of Hormuz. I was also trained for firefighting in case of an aircraft crash on deck or fire on board ship.

Do you have one or two highlights you can share?

I got to fly a lot as part of my role as a winchman, and while on deployment we disembarked from HMS Duncan for a week in Crete. While there we conducted some mountain flying operations and winching exercises in the mountains. The backdrop and scenery while hanging on the wire flying were some of the best moments and memories that will last forever. I met some incredible people, and a lot are still close friends now.

When did you leave the Royal Navy and what was your route to joining Willmott Dixon? What support was available?

When leaving the Navy, there was a resettlement process including service leavers careers fairs. I went to a Career Transition Partnership (CTP) event in Southampton, where I saw a stall for Willmott Dixon and met Andrew Stevenson, Regional Safety, Health, and Environment Lead and ex-armed forces, and Clare Francis, Head of Recruitment. Andrew told me about the company and initiatives for service leavers, such as aligning transferable skills as part of its trainee programme into management roles.

CTP helped me with retraining, I completed an APMP project management course, and they also gave me loads of information about resettlement and funded the retraining.

Following a work placement with Willmott Dixon and interviews to help align my skills and experience, I was offered a position as a Trainee Build Manager.

I left the Navy in March 2018 and joined Willmott Dixon three days later. Andrew was a mentor for the first few months helping to make sure I settled into the role and civilian life. I had a background in construction before the Navy so it felt like a natural fit.

The process was so easy and the help from the business on the induction and Andrew’s mentoring made it comfortable and stress free.

How has your career progressed at Willmott Dixon, and what are you currently working on?

I was a Trainee Build Manager through to September 2018 followed by a promotion to Assistant Build Manager. I was later promoted to Build Manager and again to Senior Build Manager in September 2024. Realising I thrived on the planning side of the role, I made the move to become a Senior Planner which I’ve been doing for six months and I’m currently working on a tender for a community hub in Dartford.

My current line manager and head of department, Neil Tugwell, has been very supportive, with regular catch ups and a clear path to follow.

Are there transferable skills from the Royal Navy which you now apply in your role with Willmott Dixon?

In short yes, albeit your trade might not be in construction but the ‘can do’ attitude instilled in the military and ability to work with different people and adapt are exceptional skills that are highly transferable. You can learn the building methods, materials and methods of construction in the role, but attitude and mentality are the drivers to make you successful.

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to other armed forces personnel looking to start a career in a new industry?

Just because your career and background in the military might not be the same as new roles outside of this, don’t give up. Your mentality, adaptability and ‘can do’ attitude are skills that people want and respect.

Find out more about opportunities for the armed forces community at Willmott Dixon.