Transitioning from the Military to the Land‑Based Sector

HighGround’s new podcast series explores careers in the land‑based sector for service leavers, veterans and reservists. Hosts Tom Constable and HighGround CEO Jamie Crisp open by explaining how the podcast complements the charity’s residential Rural Weeks programme, providing free, on‑demand advice to anyone considering outdoor careers.

In this first episode they speak with Lieutenant General Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE, chair of The Forces Trust, about why he sponsored the series and how military skills transfer to land‑based work. He explains that veterans often crave teamwork and the freedom of working outdoors, and that rural roles offer camaraderie, practical tasks and a sense of purpose. Nugee also highlights the mental‑health benefits of time in nature and encourages veterans to “try it” if they are curious.

The second half features Jim Holland, former Royal Navy weapons engineer turned entrepreneur. He recounts his transition struggles after leaving the service, how a networking call led to a career at Vodafone, and why he later founded Carma—a B‑Corp that funds reforestation projects and employs veterans via the Green Task Force. Jim discusses how Carma’s partnership with HighGround will fund Rural Weeks and create tree‑planting opportunities for veterans while delivering environmental impact.

00:00 Introduction: Tom Constable & Jamie Crisp outline the HighGround podcast and introduce guests.

00:32 Why this podcast? – aims to provide evergreen guidance for service‑leavers considering outdoor careers.

03:49 Meet Lt Gen Richard Nugee – chair of The Forces Trust. He explains why the trust funded this series and how rural jobs suit ex‑military personnel.

06:06 Podcast structure & scope: Tom discusses dividing the series into specific job roles, and Jamie notes that 12 episodes barely scratch the surface of land‑based opportunities.

09:46 Camaraderie & teamwork: Nugee describes how working outdoors in a team replicates the military environment and helps reduce social isolation.

16:09 Transferable skills: the panel discusses soft skills, adaptability, lifelong learning and why employers value veteran resilience.

21:21 Mental‑health benefits: Nugee explains how time in nature, physical activity and unpredictable outdoor tasks improve wellbeing.

25:17 Doing good: discussion about restoring the environment through agriculture, forestry and conservation; veterans often seek purpose after witnessing destruction.

32:35 Nugee’s advice: try a rural job to see if it fits your interests; rural work offers clear tasks and camaraderie.

33:49 Introducing Jim Holland: ex‑Royal Navy weapons engineer and co‑founder of Carma.

34:26 Jim’s transition: leaving Barnsley for the Navy, gaining qualifications, injury and medical discharge, running a pub, and struggling to find work until a former boss helped him land a job at Vodafone.

40:55 Corporate career: Jim describes roles at Vodafone, Sky, and Stansted Airport, noting the challenges of losing purpose and identity after leaving service.

47:28 Founding Carma: inspired by the Green Task Force (a PATT Foundation programme that creates outdoor jobs for veterans), Jim created Carma to plant trees, sell carbon credits and support veterans.

52:55 Partnership with HighGround: Carma will fund HighGround’s Rural Weeks and provide tree‑planting days for participants, allowing veterans to gain experience and employment.

58:46 Reflections & calls to action: Jim emphasises the importance of community, resilience and supporting fellow veterans; Tom and Jamie invite listeners to explore the rest of the series and share the podcast.

1. Lieutenant General Richard Nugee (Retd) – former Chief of Defence People and lead author of the UK Ministry of Defence’s climate and sustainability review. He chairs The Forces Trust, a grant‑making charity supporting naval and military causesfindthatcharity.uk. Richard champions veterans’ transition into land‑based work and currently advises organisations on environmental sustainability.
2. Jim Holland – co‑founder of Carma (carma.earth), a B‑Corp that funds reforestation and carbon‑credit projects while employing UK veterans to plant trees carma.earth. A former Royal Navy weapons engineer, Jim spent 13 years at sea before pursuing careers at Vodafone and Sky; his own challenges prompted him to create a social enterprise that provides employment pathways for fellow veterans.

1. HighGround charity – helps service leavers, veterans and reservists find purpose in the land‑based sector through Rural Weeks and horticultural therapy highground-uk.org. Learn more or donate at highground‑uk.org.
2. The Forces Trust – the Mrs M H Allen Trust, known as The Forces Trust, supports naval and military charitiesfindthatcharity.uk.
3. Carma – climate‑action B‑Corp employing UK veterans to plant trees and donating a share of revenue to veteran charitiescarma.earthcarma.earth.
4. Green Task Force – a PATT Foundation project providing tree‑planting jobs and mental‑health benefits for veterans; businesses such as Leonardo note that working with Carma and the Green Task Force ensures skills and employment opportunities for veteransuk.leonardo.com.
5. If you’re interested in careers such as forestry, farming, arboriculture or conservation, explore HighGround’s Rural Weeks or contact the team (operationsmanager@highground‑uk.org).

If you found this episode useful, please rate and review the HighGround podcast and share it with friends or colleagues who may be considering a career in the land‑based sector. For more episodes, search for “HighGround Podcast” in your podcast app, and visit highground‑uk.org to learn about upcoming Rural Weeks, support the charity or get involved.