Meet Nick Ward: From Marine Engineer to Fire Safety Manager
At Arc Partnership, members of the Armed Forces community – veterans, reservists and Armed Forces families – are part of our everyday workforce, bringing valuable skills, perspectives and dedication.
Nick Ward, Fire Team Manager is one of them. From his early career as a Marine Engineer in the Royal Navy to 28 years in the Fire Service, Nick has worked across the world, maintaining ships at sea and building the expertise he now brings to managing Arc Partnership’s fire risk assessment programme for Nottinghamshire County Council’s estate.
Can you tell us about your time in the Royal Navy?
I joined the Royal Navy in July 1977, aged 16, and after my basic and trade training I was posted to HMS Hermes, which was one of two aircraft carriers at the time, on which I served for my entire naval career. I worked in marine engineering operating in all areas of the department, including engine rooms and boiler rooms. I was also a qualified ships diver, carrying out various maintenance tasks on the ship’s bottom. I left in January 1982 under the early release scheme.
What inspired you to join the Royal Navy?
It was during a school career day when I was asked what I wanted to do when I left school, and I wanted to be a mechanic like my dad. So they asked if I wanted to attend a week’s taster session at HMS Sultan, the marine engineering school in Gosport, after which I was hooked, and it was straight to the careers office in Leicester when I got home.
What values or experiences from service still influence you today?
Like many ex-servicemen, I still carry myself with pride and have a wicked sense of humour. I am also a stickler for time keeping - if you’re on time, you’re late - and I try to help whenever I can.
What was the biggest challenge when moving into civilian work?
First of all, I am talking about 44 years ago which was a very different time. During my service I was at the top of my game technically and well respected, but I quickly found out that in ‘civvy street’ this meant absolutely nothing.
During my first trip to the job centre, I was only offered labouring jobs which was rather difficult to hear. However, I was in the process of joining the Fire Service but would have to wait a year. I did get an interim job as a boiler operator at Charing Cross hospital in London which put my naval skills to good use.
I then spent 28 years with the Fire Service, 9 of those years with London Fire Brigade, before transferring to Nottinghamshire. I then joined Nottinghamshire County Council and transferred to Arc Partnership in 2019 when the council's surveying, fire safety, legionella and asbestos risk management teams transferred across to Arc Partnership.
Were there any skills from the Forces you didn’t initially realise were transferable?
As a Marine Engineer, I was part of the ship’s firefighting team, so it seemed like a natural transition to join the Fire Service. The training, discipline and team work all made the move seamless. It wasn’t until years later that I fully realised how much my military training would stay with me for a lifetime.
What is your current role, and what does a typical day involve?
I am the Fire Team Manager, and my day job involves managing the fire risk assessment programme, supporting the fire risk assessors, peer reviewing their reports, providing technical advice to colleagues across the business and external clients, all whilst carrying out standard manager functions.
How did Arc Partnership support you when joining or developing in your role?
As soon as we joined Arc Partnership from NCC in 2019 it became apparent that we were operating in a totally different environment. For the first time, training and professional membership was made available and we were supported in achieving third party accreditation, which was professionally important to us as individuals and a benefit to selling our services to third party clients.
In what ways do you think Arc Partnership benefits from having Veterans and Reservists in the organisation?
For many of the reasons already mentioned but standards, time keeping, problem solving and a sense of humour.
What advice would you give to someone leaving the Armed Forces now?
I would recognise that this is a major event and to be prepared for life on the ‘outside’, it's simply not the same. But the one big piece of advice would be to talk, don't keep it all in. If you are struggling with any aspect of civilian life then talk to somebody. We are lucky that there are colleague groups across Arc Partnership and the wider SCAPE Group, such as the Armed Forces Working Group which create a welcoming space to share experiences.
What would you like people to understand better about life after service?
It can be a difficult transition and, for many of us, it’s harder than we anticipated. Although you may be no longer wearing a uniform, you still have the same mindset and that mindset often never leaves us. And finally, the skills you gained in the service don’t always translate into civilian life.
How does it feel to work for an organisation that actively supports the Armed Forces Covenant?
Any organisation that supports the armed forces covenant sees the benefits of employing and promoting ex-service personnel, has recognised the skills and benefits that they bring which not only builds a resilient workforce but demonstrates social responsibility.
What does real support for Veterans look like in practice?
It goes far beyond discount cards and the occasional celebration but having a real understanding of what it means to be ex-service and the benefits of employing them and understands the transitional challenges that may be present.
What does Armed Forces Day mean to you?
Pride in the military family, the strength of those bonds and the standards we maintain that stay with us for life. It’s great to recognise people’s service and show support for veterans and their families long after they’ve taken the uniform off.
In 2018, Arc Partnership signed the Armed Forces Covenant, showing its commitment to supporting those who serve or have served, and their families. That commitment was recognised with the Ministry of Defence’s Bronze Employer Recognition Scheme Award in 2021, followed by the Silver Award in 2022.
As we mark Armed Forces Day 2026, we are proud to stand alongside our colleagues whose experiences, values and dedication continue to make a difference across Arc Partnership and the communities we serve, delivering real value, together.
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