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HighGround

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by HighGround Charity

5.0(1 reviews)

12 episodes

Updated Weekly

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Podcast Overview

Welcome to the HighGround Podcast, the definitive guide for service leavers, veterans, and reservists exploring new career opportunities in the land-based sectors. Brought to you by HighGround, a charity dedicated to providing life beyond the military, our podcast is hosted by Jamie Crisp, CEO of HighGround, and Tom Constable, both British Army veterans. Each episode of the HighGround Podcast is designed to help you navigate the transition from military to civilian employment by highlighting potential jobs that align with your skillset. We focus on a specific job role in every episode, split into two insightful segments. In the first half, we chat with a fellow veteran who has successfully made the leap into a new career, sharing their personal journey, challenges, and triumphs. In the second half, we speak with employers who are actively seeking to fill these roles, offering valuable insights into what they are looking for in a candidate and how you can stand out. Our guests provide the voice of experience, offering practical advice, recommendations, and inspiration for your own career path. Whether you're interested in horticulture, forestry, animal care, environmental conservation, or any other land-based sector, the HighGround Podcast is your go-to resource for making informed career decisions. Tune in to equip yourself with the knowledge and motivation needed to embark on a fulfilling career beyond the military, and join a community that values and utilises your unique skills and experiences. HighGround Charity Overview HighGround is a leading charity committed to helping service leavers, reservists, and veterans transition into civilian life through employment and self-employment opportunities in the land-based sector. With a vision to be the leading organisation for land-based career opportunities for ex-military personnel, HighGround offers a range of programs including Horticultural Therapy and Rural Weeks to support this mission. For more information, visit HighGround.

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Publishing Since

5/29/2024

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Recent Episodes

December 18, 2025

Smallholding & Entrepreneurship: Mark Rees’ Journey from the Army to Gotland Gin

This episode of the HighGround podcast explores life on a smallholding and the realities of farm diversification. Host Tom Constable welcomes Mark Rees, a 22‑year Army veteran who, with his family, bought a smallholding in Devon and began rearing Gotland sheep—a Swedish breed prized for its lustrous wool and tender meat<a href="https://www.livingwithgotlands.com/2015/02/six-reasons-to-love-gotland-sheep/#:~:text=1,dense%2C%20sturdy%20piece%20of%20felt" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">livingwithgotlands.com</a>.Mark explains that a smallholding is generally a home with land bigger than a garden but smaller than a farm—anything under about 50 acres<a href="https://arbtech.co.uk/a-guide-to-smallholdings/#:~:text=A%20smallholding%20is%20a%20home,sometimes%20a%20mix%20of%20both" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">arbtech.co.uk</a>. To make his 20‑acre holding viable, Mark diversified: he started fencing and gardening businesses, trained in butchery and project management, and eventually founded Gotland Gin, using botanicals such as lingonberries to reference the sheep’s Scandinavian origins. He discusses the licensing hurdles, the impact of the pandemic, and how direct sales and farm experiences help market both the gin and his wool products.The conversation highlights how ex‑military skills, discipline, hard work, adaptability-translate to small‑scale farming and entrepreneurship. Mark stresses the importance of resilience, learning from mistakes and following one’s passion. The hosts also touch on grants, training courses and networks available to would‑be smallholders, and encourage listeners to seek out HighGround’s Rural Week courses for hands‑on experience.<h3>Episode chapters & key moments:</h3>00:00 Introduction: Tom & Jamie outline the podcast’s goal to create a library of land‑based career conversations for veterans and service‑leavers.02:42 Meet Mark Rees: 22‑year Army veteran and former Army Air Corps/PT Corps instructor introduces himself and describes buying a 20‑acre smallholding in Devon.03:50 What is a smallholding? Discussion about the term; smallholdings are generally a home with land larger than a garden but smaller than a farm—usually under about 50 acres<a href="https://arbtech.co.uk/a-guide-to-smallholdings/#:~:text=A%20smallholding%20is%20a%20home,sometimes%20a%20mix%20of%20both" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">arbtech.co.uk</a>.04:10T ransition & early diversification: Mark describes setting up gardening and fencing businesses while establishing the smallholding and explains why he specialised in Gotland sheep.06:00 Service‑leaver advice: Mark emphasises the lack of land‑based guidance when he left the Army and urges veterans to plan early and take advantage of courses.10:16 Gotland sheep: The breed produces long, curly wool with lustre that grows 10 inches in a year<a href="https://www.livingwithgotlands.com/2015/02/six-reasons-to-love-gotland-sheep/#:~:text=1,dense%2C%20sturdy%20piece%20of%20felt" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">livingwithgotlands.com</a> and lambs grow quickly; ewes are excellent mothers, often raising twins or triplets<a href="https://www.livingwithgotlands.com/2015/02/six-reasons-to-love-gotland-sheep/#:~:text=6,a%20true%20dual%20purpose%20breed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">livingwithgotlands.com</a>. Mark explains how wool and lamb sales originally supported the farm.13:08 Birth of Gotland Gin: The idea came from a conversation over gin and tonic; Mark developed a recipe using lingonberries to link the gin to the sheep’s Swedish heritage.15:25 Licensing & early sales: He details the process of contracting a local distillery, gaining HMRC licences and testing...

December 18, 2025

Transitioning from the Military to the Land‑Based Sector

HighGround’s new podcast series explores careers in the land‑based sector for service leavers, veterans and reservists. Hosts Tom Constable and HighGround CEO Jamie Crisp open by explaining how the podcast complements the charity’s residential Rural Weeks programme, providing free, on‑demand advice to anyone considering outdoor careers.In this first episode they speak with Lieutenant General Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE, chair of The Forces Trust, about why he sponsored the series and how military skills transfer to land‑based work. He explains that veterans often crave teamwork and the freedom of working outdoors, and that rural roles offer camaraderie, practical tasks and a sense of purpose. Nugee also highlights the mental‑health benefits of time in nature and encourages veterans to “try it” if they are curious.The second half features Jim Holland, former Royal Navy weapons engineer turned entrepreneur. He recounts his transition struggles after leaving the service, how a networking call led to a career at Vodafone, and why he later founded Carma—a B‑Corp that funds reforestation projects and employs veterans via the Green Task Force. Jim discusses how Carma’s partnership with HighGround will fund Rural Weeks and create tree‑planting opportunities for veterans while delivering environmental impact.<h3>Episode chapters & key moments</h3>00:00 Introduction: Tom Constable & Jamie Crisp outline the HighGround podcast and introduce guests.00:32 Why this podcast? – aims to provide evergreen guidance for service‑leavers considering outdoor careers.03:49 Meet Lt Gen Richard Nugee – chair of The Forces Trust. He explains why the trust funded this series and how rural jobs suit ex‑military personnel.06:06 Podcast structure & scope: Tom discusses dividing the series into specific job roles, and Jamie notes that 12 episodes barely scratch the surface of land‑based opportunities.09:46 Camaraderie & teamwork: Nugee describes how working outdoors in a team replicates the military environment and helps reduce social isolation.16:09 Transferable skills: the panel discusses soft skills, adaptability, lifelong learning and why employers value veteran resilience.21:21 Mental‑health benefits: Nugee explains how time in nature, physical activity and unpredictable outdoor tasks improve wellbeing.25:17 Doing good: discussion about restoring the environment through agriculture, forestry and conservation; veterans often seek purpose after witnessing destruction.32:35 Nugee’s advice: try a rural job to see if it fits your interests; rural work offers clear tasks and camaraderie.33:49 Introducing Jim Holland: ex‑Royal Navy weapons engineer and co‑founder of Carma.34:26 Jim’s transition: leaving Barnsley for the Navy, gaining qualifications, injury and medical discharge, running a pub, and struggling to find work until a former boss helped him land a job at Vodafone.40:55 Corporate career: Jim describes roles at Vodafone, Sky, and Stansted Airport, noting the challenges of losing purpose and identity after leaving service.47:28 Founding Carma: inspired by the Green Task Force (a PATT Foundation programme that creates outdoor jobs for veterans), Jim created Carma to plant trees, sell carbon credits and support veterans.52:55 Partnership with HighGround: Carma will fund HighGround’s Rural Weeks and provide tree‑planting days for participants, allowing veterans to gain experience and employment.58:46 Reflections & calls to action: Jim emphasises the importance of community, resilience and supporting fellow veterans; Tom and Jamie invite listeners to explore the rest...

December 18, 2025

Championing Veterans in the Rural Economy: Dr Charles Trotman of the CLA

In this HighGround episode, hosts Tom Constable and Jamie Crisp speak with Dr Charles Trotman, Senior Economics and Rural Business Advisor at the Country Land & Business Association (CLA). Charles sets the scene with statistics: predominantly rural areas contributed about £315 billion (16.2% of England’s economy) in 2022 <a href="https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/the-rural-economy/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20predominantly%20rural%20areas,in%202001" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lordslibrary.parliament.uk</a>, yet agriculture makes up only 3% of rural GVA<a href="https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/the-rural-economy/#:~:text=areas%20is%20the%20significance%20of,A%20similar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lordslibrary.parliament.uk</a>.Rural England hosts around 590 businesses per 10 000 people, more than urban areas<a href="https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/the-rural-economy/#:~:text=In%202022%2F23%2C%20businesses%20registered%20in,of%20businesses%20in%20rural%20areas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lordslibrary.parliament.uk</a>, and roughly 102 400 farm holdings operate across England<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/farming-evidence-pack-a-high-level-overview-of-the-uk-agricultural-industry/farming-evidence-key-statistics-accessible-version#:~:text=%2834" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">gov.uk</a>. Despite this diversity, many rural businesses face acute labour shortages. Recognising the untapped potential of service‑leavers and veterans, the CLA has signed the Armed Forces Covenant—a national promise to ensure that those who serve or have served are treated fairly<a href="https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/#:~:text=The%20Armed%20Forces%20Covenant%20is,their%20families%2C%20are%20treated%20fairly" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">armedforcescovenant.gov.uk</a> and is pursuing the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme.Charles explains how the CLA’s veterans initiative pledges to: 1) encourage rural employers to consider veterans; 2) provide information to employers on the benefits of hiring ex‑military personnel; and 3) collaborate with existing veteran‑support networks like HighGround. He outlines the skills veterans bring: leadership, discipline, logistics, digital competence and crisis management and emphasises that employing veterans is about adding value, not cheap labour. The discussion ends with a call for greater collaboration across sector bodies to connect veterans with meaningful careers in farming, land management, tourism and agri‑tech.<h3>Episode chapters & key moments:</h3>00:00 Introduction: Tom & Jamie recap the podcast’s aim and tease a conversation that moves away from a specific job to look at sector‑wide issues.03:06 Meet Dr Charles Trotman: Senior Economist at the CLA describes the breadth of the rural economy (£315 bn GVA<a href="https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/the-rural-economy/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20predominantly%20rural%20areas,in%202001" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lordslibrary.parliament.uk</a>, 3.8 m employees) and notes that agriculture represents just 3% of rural output<a href="https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/the-rural-economy/#:~:text=areas%20is%20the%20significance%20of,A%20similar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lordslibrary.parliament.uk</a>.04:28 What is the CLA? The Country Land & Business Association has existed for over 100 years, representing 26 000 members across England and Wales. Nearly half of members farm less than 150 acres and are asset‑rich but cash‑poor; their businesses span more than 250 income streams, from farming to tourism and renewable energy.06:41 Armed Forces Covenant & pledges: The CLA...

12 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

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What is HighGround?: Welcome to the HighGround Podcast, the definitive guide for service leavers, veterans, and reservists exploring new career opportunities in the land-based sectors. Brought to you by HighGround, a charity dedicated to providing life beyond the military, our podcast is hosted by Jamie Crisp, CEO of HighGround, and Tom Constable, both British Army veterans.

Each episode of the HighGround Podcast is designed to help you navigate the transition from military to civilian employment by highlighting potential jobs that align with your skillset. We focus on a specific job role in every episode, split into two insightful segments.

In the first half, we chat with a fellow veteran who has successfully made the leap into a new career, sharing their personal journey, challenges, and triumphs. In the second half, we speak with employers who are actively seeking to fill these roles, offering valuable insights into what they are looking for in a candidate and how you can stand out.

Our guests provide the voice of experience, offering practical advice, recommendations, and inspiration for your own career path. Whether you're interested in horticulture, forestry, animal care, environmental conservation, or any other land-based sector, the HighGround Podcast is your go-to resource for making informed career decisions.

Tune in to equip yourself with the knowledge and motivation needed to embark on a fulfilling career beyond the military, and join a community that values and utilises your unique skills and experiences.

HighGround Charity Overview

HighGround is a leading charity committed to helping service leavers, reservists, and veterans transition into civilian life through employment and self-employment opportunities in the land-based sector. With a vision to be the leading organisation for land-based career opportunities for ex-military personnel, HighGround offers a range of programs including Horticultural Therapy and Rural Weeks to support this mission.

For more information, visit HighGround.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates weekly.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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