After more than three decades of service with the Royal Engineers, David Curry faced one of the biggest transitions of his life – leaving the British Army and entering the civilian workforce.
Like many veterans, he carried a wealth of leadership, problem-solving, and operational experience, but translating that into a civilian role was a new challenge. Today, Curry is thriving as a senior project manager in the high-growth world of data centre infrastructure. His story is a powerful example of how the skills developed in military service can open the door to a rewarding second career – and how the right support and mindset can make all the difference.
31 years in the Royal Engineers
Curry served an impressive 31 years in the British Army, primarily with the Corps of Royal Engineers. Over those three decades, he rose through the ranks and took on various engineering and leadership roles. In the army, Curry was responsible for planning and executing complex projects – from construction tasks to infrastructure support on deployments – experiences that naturally developed his organisational and leadership abilities. “The leadership and project management skills honed during my military service have been invaluable in my new role,” he says, reflecting on his time in uniform.
Despite a fulfilling military career, Curry knew that one day he would have to hang up his uniform and navigate civvy street. Approaching his military retirement, he began to contemplate how to apply his extensive experience to a civilian profession. After decades of service, leaving the Army was a monumental decision – “Leaving the Corps of Royal Engineers was a monumental decision, but it has opened new doors and possibilities,” Curry notes of his choice to transition in 2024. He was drawn toward project management in the civilian sector, a field where his army-acquired skills – leadership, team coordination, strategic planning, and the ability to deliver under pressure – would translate well.
Navigating the resettlement challenge
Stepping out of a 31-year military career into the civilian world was not without its challenges. “Transitioning from the British Army to the corporate world and into a new industry has been a significant change,” Curry explains. Suddenly, he was faced with learning new business lexicon and corporate culture, and he no longer had the familiar structure of military life. Curry tackled these resettlement challenges head-on by preparing himself even before his final day in uniform. He pursued additional education and training to update his skill set for the civilian market – even enrolling in a programme at Alliance Manchester Business School to deepen his understanding of business and project management in the commercial sector. This academic experience helped him understand the intricacies of data centre operations and gain confidence in industries that were new to him.
Crucially, Curry also sought out the support available to service leavers. He made full use of the MoD’s Career Transition Partnership (CTP) workshops and engaged with veteran employment charities for guidance. “The Career Transition Partnership and Forces Employment Charity’s commitment to leveraging the unique strengths of service leavers and veterans has made the transition an enjoyable adventure,” he says.
Programmes like these helped him translate his military accomplishments into language that civilian employers understand, and provided networking opportunities that connected him with mentors in his chosen industry. He also connected with initiatives like BuildForce, which link ex-Forces personnel with careers in construction and the built environment – a natural fit given his engineering background. With this strong support network, Curry transformed what could have been a daunting resettlement into a positive learning experience. “Support and opportunities provided by many of you have made this journey incredibly rewarding,” he reflects, emphasising how much he valued the guidance he received along the way.
A new mission in project management
All of Curry’s preparation and perseverance paid off when he landed a role in the civilian sector. He is now a senior project manager with Turner & Townsend, specialising in data centre projects as part of CBRE’s Data Centre Solutions team. In this leadership role, Curry manages complex projects to deliver high-tech data centre facilities for clients. CBRE’s Data Centre Solutions division is a major player in the industry – the leading provider of converged data centre services, integrating real estate, technology and facility solutions – and Curry is at the heart of its UK operations.
His day-to-day work involves coordinating diverse teams of architects, engineers, and contractors, handling project budgets and timelines, and ensuring that the strict requirements of data centre infrastructure are met. It’s a challenging environment, but one where he clearly thrives. “Working with a new team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about delivering data centre solutions has been inspiring,” says Curry, describing his enthusiastic new colleagues. “The collaborative environment fosters innovation and excellence for all… Every day has presented new challenges and opportunities,” he adds, highlighting the dynamic nature of his civilian projects.
Importantly, Curry finds that his army-honed skills give him an edge in this role. The leadership experience gained from commanding soldiers and leading engineering projects in the army allows him to effectively lead project teams in the corporate world. His calmness under pressure and ability to strategically plan operations are invaluable when problems arise on a construction site or a client’s requirements change last-minute. “The leadership and project management skills honed during my military service have been invaluable in my new role,” he reiterates. Military service also ingrained in him a mission-focused work ethic and a commitment to getting the job done — qualities highly prized in project management. Curry’s supervisors have noted how naturally he takes ownership of tasks and motivates those around him, much as he did in the Armed Forces.
After only a few months in his new position, Curry was already feeling a renewed sense of fulfilment. “As I wrap up my first three months with the CBRE Data Centre Solutions team, I have found a new sense of purpose,” he shared at the end of 2024. The move from military service to civilian project management turned out to be the fresh chapter he was hoping for. “2024 has been a year of transformation and new beginnings,” he reflects, proud of how far he has come in such a short time. By leveraging his strengths and committing to continuous learning in his new industry, Curry has quickly proven himself as a leader in the data centre projects arena. In fact, the merger of Turner & Townsend with CBRE’s project management business has opened even more doors for him to take on larger responsibilities, and he’s eager to step up. “Leaving the army opened new doors and possibilities,” he says – doors that he is not hesitating to walk through.
Looking ahead and giving back
Today, Curry is not only delivering value in his civilian job – he’s also passionate about giving back to the wider veteran community. He hasn’t forgotten the help he received during his transition, and now he aims to pay it forward. Curry frequently mentors other service leavers and shares his story to inspire those following in his footsteps. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my journey with other service leavers and veterans,” he wrote to a veterans’ charity recently. In February 2025, he joined a “Pathways into Construction and the Built Environment” insight event in London, appearing alongside his new CBRE colleagues to encourage fellow ex-Forces personnel to consider careers in sectors like construction and data centres. By openly discussing his own pathway – how his 31-year military career equipped him with the skills and experience for a successful project management role – Curry hopes to motivate others and demystify the resettlement process.
As he looks ahead, Curry remains optimistic and ambitious. “I am excited about 2025 and look forward to continuing my journey as a veteran with CBRE and Turner & Townsend,” he says, eyes set firmly on future projects and growth. He knows that more challenges will come, but given the courage and adaptability he’s shown, there is little doubt he will tackle them head-on. From a decorated army engineer to a rising leader in the data centre construction field, David Curry’s journey is a testament to how military skills can be a launchpad to civilian success. His story offers encouragement to other veterans: with preparation, support, and the determination to reinvent oneself, the transition can truly be an enjoyable adventure – and a springboard to a rewarding second career.
