Transitioning into facilities management: Terry Ennis’ story

CASE STUDY
Final Rank: Lance Bombardier
Years Served: 5
Proud veteran Terry Ennis is head of landscaping and innovations at Chequers, a specialist services organisation in the social housing sector. Chequers is a part of Churchill Group, an FM company that provides various soft services to clients in multiple industries. Churchill Group became a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme gold award winner in 2022 for its work with the armed forces community.
Terry served as a Lance Bombardier with the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, where he became the Gun Cover number for his detachment with B Battery for the AS90 self-propelled gun. While serving in Operation Telic 4, part of the Iraq post-war campaign in 2004, Terry sustained an injury to his left knee during a match for the regimental football team. This unfortunately forced the end of his armed forces career and it was particularly upsetting for him to leave the services at a time where his military family was re-deployed to Iraq for Telic 10.
Terry’s first role outside the British Army was in the building industry, where he gained skills in hard landscaping. This later led him to work in grounds maintenance. Terry joined Chequers after successfully managing a contract for a social housing organisation that was a client of Chequers.
This proved to be a great fit as grounds maintenance enables Terry to work outside, stay physical, manage projects with military type precision, and take pride in the achievements and build camaraderie with his colleagues – although it hasn’t quite replaced the excitement of an AS90!
After leaving The Army, Terry was diagnosed with PTSD. He was able to find the right support, where he developed coping strategies and later recovered. Because of his lived experience of PTSD, he became more determined than ever to support members of the veteran community who may have experienced something similar. Terry has since been involved in several social value projects, and now he is keen to support any veteran who joins Chequers.
“In the armed forces, all of us are moulded to become organised, disciplined, motivated, hardworking and team-orientated,” said Terry Ennis, landscaping and innovations manager at Chequers. “The value and standard that we bring to the civilian world is significant, and I am passionate about helping other veterans to succeed. The facilities management industry has broad scope to provide a meaningful and rewarding second career for veterans.”
Terry, alongside other veterans, has found fulfilment in a career at Churchill Group. If you’d like to find out more about a career in facilities management, please visit the Churchill Group website.
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