Remembrance Day 2025

We’re incredibly proud to have several team members who have served in the military. Ahead of Remembrance Day,  we’re highlighting the valuable experiences they gained during their service and how it influences their work at Clarion. Their diverse skills and perspectives strengthen our teams every day.

With over 20 years as a Logistics officer in the RAF, at this time of year I reflect on two deeply meaningful logistics roles. One involved arranging Compassionate travel, enabling service personnel to return home swiftly during family emergencies—highlighted by a case of a soldier flown from the Belize jungle to Ireland in under 12 hours.

The other was overseeing the dignified repatriation of fallen personnel to the UK, ensured by flawless professional logistics on behalf of grieving families, including those of a close friend. These experiences, though emotionally intense, taught me lasting lessons in empathy and team purpose, both key Clarion values.

- John M

One of the big lessons I took from the Army is that no plan survives contact with the enemy. That’s not to say plans aren’t useful, but the process of planning is what really matters, because it gives everyone a shared intent and the ability to adapt when things inevitably change.  

“Trust in the process” was something the Army excelled at, and I carry that into the world of work, particularly around change. People are organic, not mechanical or predictable, so their growth and behavioural change can’t be forced. It needs to be nurtured, fed, and protected. Just as you can’t rush a flower to bloom, people will often change when they are ready, not when we demand it. Even under the pressure of time, our role is to create the right environment, trust the process, and let the change unfold in its own good time.

- David F

I spent a fast and furious few years in the British Army straight after university.  I went to Sandhurst for a year before joining the Royal Artillery where I specialised in Air Defence and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles).

During my six years in the military, I learnt a lot about myself and others, especially during training and operations. I initially looked after 30 soldiers as a Troop Commander, my favourite role, taking them to Iraq in 2009.  I loved having a high level of responsibility at a young age. The Army sent me around the world, including a four-month exchange to New Zealand! My final tour was to Afghanistan in 2011 where I looked after a senior British Officer in Kabul, working with Afghan politicians and even going to Afghanistan’s own version of Butlins for the day! Right up my street!

The military taught me resilience, leadership and many other values that I have carried forward into civilian life. I cherish the memories of my whole time in service and believe it continues to help and guide me through life both at home and here at Clarion.

- Alex H

I served for 22 years in the Royal Navy, retiring as a Warrant Officer II Communications Technician in the Warfare Branch. Based on a strong foundation of technical expertise, my military career instilled in me a deep appreciation for mutual trust and cohesive teamwork—values that continue to guide my professional journey.

On joining Clarion Insight over 4 years ago, I found a workplace culture that mirrors the camaraderie and collaborative spirit I valued in the Navy.

Today, I apply those same principles—trust, tolerance, and team ethos—to help foster a supportive environment that benefits both our clients and colleagues alike.

- Stuart B

As an ex-Regular and current part-time Reservist with the Royal Air Force, Remembrance Sunday is a day that brings us together as a Squadron to show unity and honour the past in a parade in Liverpool. Yet, for me, it carries a deeper personal significance. My late grandad, a proud veteran of Army tank units, used to march in the very same parade at St George’s Hall. Veterans, serving personnel, cadets, and civilians gathered there to pay their respects to those who gave their lives in conflicts past and present. I stand where he once stood is a poignant reminder of the legacy we continue to uphold.

During my own service in operations rooms in war zones, I was often among the first to hear tragic news come through radio communications. I can still recall too many occasions when we received confirmation of a British serviceman’s death. Even though I didn’t know them personally, my thoughts would immediately turn to their families—knowing that somewhere, loved ones were about to receive the most heartbreaking message imaginable.

Those moments were always followed by services of remembrance, often standing beside colleagues who knew the fallen personally. I think back to those times every year, remembering the sorrow in those times and hoping that the families who lost someone have found some measure of peace and healing.

- Chris A

I have served as an Officer in the Royal Marines Reserve for over ten years, following sixteen years of regular service before that. I currently serve as the Second in Command of Royal Marines Reserve London. Having been a Royal Marine for most of my adult life and throughout my entire professional career, the values and skills I have developed through military service influence everything I do, both at work and at home.

The core Royal Marines values of excellence, integrity, self-discipline, and humility are integral to how I operate. I strive to perform at a high standard and to conduct myself with professionalism in all I do. Integrity is particularly important to me: I take ownership of my mistakes, act responsibly, and am honest with clients, even when that means delivering difficult truths. Self-discipline guides my reliability and work ethic; if I commit to something, I follow through, no matter how challenging. Humility reminds me to keep learning from those around me and to continue expanding my consulting skills.

Above all, my time in the Royal Marines has taught me to remain cheerful in the face of adversity, an outlook I carry into my work at Clarion, whether navigating tight deadlines or adapting when plans do not go as expected.

- Charlie P