When former Royal Artillery major Brandon ended a career commanding artillery batteries, his next posting was not on a battlefield but in Babcock International’s corporate services team.
During his resettlement he interviewed with several firms but “joined Babcock as it simply had a better feel,” he says. He found that the work ethic and sense of humour among colleagues, many of whom are also ex‑military, felt familiar. Today he applies his leadership and problem‑solving skills in the corporate services team and values the supportive community at Babcock – “open to new initiatives” and eager to utilise his previous experience to benefit employees. Brandon is one of thousands of veterans who have found a new mission in Babcock’s defence engineering business.
Babcock is not a typical civilian employer. As a FTSE‑100 defence company and the second‑largest supplier to the Ministry of Defence, it designs, builds and maintains submarines, warships and secure communications systems. Its workforce must be able to maintain nuclear‑powered submarines, integrate complex weapons systems and support deployed forces – all tasks that require the discipline, teamwork and mission focus ingrained by military service. Babcock has therefore deliberately built pipelines for armed‑forces leavers into the company. It signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013 and has held a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme award since 2015.
According to the 2024 Great British Employers of Veterans report, Babcock employs around 4,000 veterans and nearly 1,000 UK veterans and reservists started new careers at the company since 2023; about 16 % of its 26,000‑strong workforce has a connection to the armed forces. Babcock also guarantees an interview for veterans meeting the role requirements, offers up to 10 days’ special paid leave for reservist duties and provides career guidance and access to its Babcock Forces Community Network (BFCN). That network, chaired by veteran leaders, offers mentorship and mental‑health first‑aider support for service leavers and their families.
Veterans on the shipyard and beyond
Walk into Babcock’s Devonport dockyard or through the company’s digital‑engineering offices and you’re likely to meet ex‑forces personnel in roles ranging from nuclear systems design to project management. Georgina, a former RAF flight sergeant who sits on the BFCN global steering group, says her resettlement was daunting but Babcock made it feel like moving to another unit. “Having transitioned from the Royal Air Force to Babcock just over a year ago, I fully appreciate the challenges … we are deeply committed to supporting our veterans – not only during the initial transition but throughout their entire career journey,” she explains. She notes that the BFCN has even introduced mental‑health first‑aider representatives at each site so that anyone needing support can speak to someone with lived experience.
Steve, a former Royal Marines sergeant, now works as a technical trainer. In the field he once operated some of the very equipment Babcock supplies; now he trains young engineers to maintain it. His students “feel reassured” knowing he used the kit in austere environments, and his operational experience helps him understand the customer’s needs when teaching. The company also supports reservists like Phil, a project‑quality technician who serves as a Royal Naval Reserve sub‑lieutenant. Babcock provides extra leave and flexibility for him to fulfil his annual training and mobilisation commitments, which Phil says allows him to maintain a work‑life balance between his civilian career and military duties. CEO David Lockwood views employing reservists not as a burden but as a strategic asset because it gives the company insight into what its military customers experience.
Military precision meets engineering excellence
Operating naval bases and designing complex weapons systems demands the same attention to detail, risk management and teamwork that veterans have practised in uniform. Trevor Cayless, Babcock’s Director of International Government Relations, notes that the company is integral to the UK’s move to warfighting readiness. He describes Babcock as the second‑largest supplier to the Ministry of Defence, providing “service and product solutions across all domains, and working side‑by‑side with the armed forces on submarines, satellites and everything in between”. With global supply chains under strain, the company invests heavily in people, infrastructure and technology to ensure that it can deliver sovereign capability from the UK. That investment pays off: Babcock’s UK operations directly supported 25,400 jobs and indirectly supported another 40,000 in 2024/25, contributing £4.3 billion to national GDP.
Many of these jobs are now held by veterans whose military backgrounds give them an edge in high‑pressure environments. The company’s Train to Fit programme identifies high‑potential veterans who may not meet every civilian job requirement but who demonstrate the values, mindset and adaptability needed to thrive. Rather than screening them out, Babcock provides the training and mentoring to bridge any skills gaps. An overview of the 2025 Great British Employers of Veterans list praises the programme for “identifying high‑potential veterans who may not meet every traditional job requirement” and providing training, mentoring and on‑the‑job support so that veterans can excel in any role. Babcock also runs numerous service‑leaver events, partners with the Career Transition Partnership for online insight sessions and hosts recruitment days (for example at its Bovington facility) where veterans, reservists and their spouses can meet hiring managers.
The synergy between military skills and Babcock’s operational needs is evident on the shop floor. A major attraction for ex‑Royal Navy marine engineer Phil is that Babcock “helps me in my reservist role not just through extra leave … but also when I need to mobilise”. For Emily, a mechanical‑engineering apprentice who serves as a Royal Naval Reserve officer cadet, the company offers “the best of both worlds” by allowing her to pursue a civilian engineering career while continuing her naval service. These examples underline how Babcock’s processes, safety culture and high‑tech equipment mirror the disciplined, team‑orientated environments veterans are used to.
A covenant of support and shared values
Babcock’s veteran‑friendly reputation has been recognised externally. In the 2025 Great British Employers of Veterans ranking, the company shared first place with BAE Systems and retained its Gold Employer Recognition Scheme status. It is also the UK’s joint largest defence employer of veterans and the largest employer of military reservists, according to a 2025 update. The Great British Employers of Veterans guide notes that about 15,000 people leave the British armed forces every year; these individuals form a highly capable talent pool but often face an awareness gap when transferring to civilian employment. Babcock’s proactive outreach – guaranteed interviews, Train to Fit, BFCN and community events – helps bridge that gap.
The company’s commitments extend beyond hiring. Babcock supports the Armed Forces community through charitable initiatives and partnerships. In 2025 it sponsored the Race Across the UK challenge, helping raise funds for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and showing its support for sailors, marines and their families. Its “Defence dividend” report highlights a commitment to invest in skills and communities, including a £550 million supply‑chain spend with UK small and medium‑sized enterprises and the creation of around 900 early‑careers roles. The company also runs STEM outreach programmes and collaborates with colleges to develop nuclear and engineering skills.
The mission continues
Leaving the armed forces can be a leap into the unknown; more than 15,000 service leavers each year must translate military skills into civilian careers. Babcock offers these men and women a familiar sense of purpose: creating a safe and secure world. By pairing guaranteed interviews and Train‑to‑Fit upskilling with a vibrant peer network, the company ensures that veterans aren’t just hired but set up to succeed. Its senior leaders view reservists as an asset rather than an inconvenience, and veterans like Brandon, Georgina and Steve showcase how military experience can flourish in cutting‑edge engineering roles. For those swapping uniforms for high‑vis jackets and lanyards, Babcock proves that a second career in defence engineering can be every bit as meaningful as the first.
