Posted on: 6 November 2025
Tommy Horrell joined CNWL earlier this year as Executive Assistant to our Chief People Officer, Nick Green. Before that, he spent years in the Armed Forces, starting when he was just 17.
Tommy grew up in Plymouth, a naval town with strong ties to the military. For him, joining the navy was the natural choice.
Moving away from home at 17 was tough. “It was hard leaving my friends and family so young,” Tommy said. After training, he was posted straight onto a ship and spent the next four years travelling the world.
He started as a warfare specialist, working on radars. His travels took him to America, South America, Africa, Norway and the Middle East. His final trip was to Libya – planned for six weeks but ended up lasting nine months. “Sometimes you’d get two weeks’ notice and be gone for months.”
Life on board meant forming close bonds. “You get really close to the people you’re with. I’m still in touch with some of them now,” he said. But being young and away from home for long stretches was challenging. “I didn’t really understand the global situations we were stepping into.”
After his first stint, Tommy left the navy for a while, then returned in a different role. He became a writer – a military human resources and admin position. He worked on the Queen Elizabeth and an aircraft carrier, including training trips to America.
Eventually, Tommy decided to settle down. He took a job with the Ministry of Defence in London, supporting senior staff. After four years, he wanted a permanent move into civilian life.
“I was nervous to leave. You get institutionalised. It’s all you know,” he said. But the armed forces resettlement programme helped. “They offered courses, advice and support. It made a big difference.”
Joining the NHS
Tommy’s family has strong ties to public service. His sister is a nurse, his dad was a firefighter, and his mum also worked in the NHS. So, joining CNWL felt like a natural step. “It was my first interview since leaving the navy,” he said. “I wasn’t aiming for the NHS, but the role matched my skills.”
He’s found the transition smooth, though the NHS has its own language. Still, Tommy feels settled. “Everyone’s been really kind and switched on. I love working with Nick – he’s mentoring me and helping me grow.” He’s especially appreciated the focus on development. “In the navy, promotions are different. Here, they were keen to get me into training straight away.”
Tommy sees similarities between the military and NHS – both are about service and teamwork. But there are differences too. “In the forces, things move fast. New ways of working are adopted quickly. And the management style is more rigid,” he said.
Nick Green, Chief People Officer, said:
“Tommy’s background has so many benefits - his discipline, dedication, precision, planning and organisational skills have been honed over years of naval service, adding effectiveness and reliability to our team.”
Tommy is keen to visit more CNWL sites and see frontline services. For now, he’s enjoying the change. “It’s been a big shift, but I’m happy. The NHS feels like the right place for me.”
Are you looking to take the next step in your career?
Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people. We recognise the unique skills, discipline and leadership that Armed Forces colleagues can bring to the workplace. Whether you’re transiting from military service or have already made the move to civilian life, we want to hear from you. We’re seeking expressions of interest for a range of roles.
To find out more, visit this page: www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work
Find out more about the work CNWL is doing with the armed forces community.