Ex-Forces
Paul Brown
21.01.2019
FDM’s Ex-Forces Programme is specifically designed to provide ex-Servicemen and women with expertise, training and commercial experience; transforming them into IT and business professionals. We aim to bridge the gap between the Forces and the corporate world. Once trained, our consultants will be prepared for working with our high-profile clients on a consultancy basis as they begin a fulfilling second career.
Gideon Henry joined the Royal Navy in 2002 and enjoyed a challenging and varying career as a writer with Logistics Personnel. After seven years of service, it was time for a career change, which brought him to FDM. Now on-site working as an Information Security Consultant at a high-end bank in London, Gideon has decided to share his story of why FDM’s Ex-Forces Programme persuaded him to look into a new career.
During my time in the Royal Navy, I completed a number of deployments including the Falklands and the Baltic. I worked at highly secure test sites processing thousands of highly classified materials, participated in anti-piracy exercises off the coast of West Africa, intercepted and disrupted illegal drug smuggling operations in Central America and enjoyed the Rio carnival due to an oracular alignment with my ship’s visit to Brazil. My career saw me following a number of roles operating in an IT and telecom environment, and I realised that it was not on the trajectory that I’d hoped. More importantly, I was lacking access to the blue chip companies that could significantly enhance my career. 
I first came across FDM’s Ex-Forces Programme when I attended an insight day. After several conversations with a member of the Ex-Forces team, I found myself immediately impressed by not only the comradery of the programme, but the professionalism of the team as well. The information delivered on the day was honest and compelling, which prompted me to take the next step of applying to FDM’s Ex-Forces Advanced Programme. I detailed my expectations and what I hoped to achieve by joining FDM, and on the careful assessment of my skills and experiences, I was offered a place on the tailored training programme.
After taking on the necessary courses in Leeds and London to make sure my knowledge was up to speed with the level needed for the advanced course, my future with FDM began to take shape. Within the second week of my Information Security training, I had interviews lined up with a number of global companies, and I managed to secure a role with a major financial services client in London.
My role on-site currently involves working within the Chief Control Technical Office and focuses primarily on Cloud controls. My main responsibility is to ensure that any project within the Banks Global Banking and Global Finance group that seeks to leverage the advantages of Cloud have the considered and implemented the necessary controls before doing so.
FDM has delivered on their promise of finding me the right role to take my career to the next level. My only regret is not finding them sooner.
To apply to the FDM Ex-Forces Programme, or to discuss your options with a member of the Ex-Forces Team at FDM, send your CV or enquiry to exforces@fdmgroup.com
If you enjoyed this story you can read more Ex-Forces articles in our blog: