From Paratrooper to Service Manager: Hugh Keir’s Journey from Chaos to Connectivity

In this special episode of the Route to Networking Podcast: Military Leavers Edition, host Louis Parratt speaks with Hugh Keir, a former British Army paratrooper who’s now thriving as a Service Manager at Viasat. It’s a story of transformation, one that spans war zones, private security, and satellite communications.

Discovering Purpose Through the Parachute Regiment

It wasn’t glory or medals that pulled Hugh into the military. It was the search for something more - more belief in who he could become.

He found his calling in the Parachute Regiment, where he served for 11 years. From Iraq to Afghanistan, Hugh faced the intensity of active combat. One early experience under fire proved defining, not because it was terrifying, but because it wasn’t. “I didn’t panic,” he recalls. “I just did what I was supposed to do.” That realisation of calm under pressure would become the foundation for his leadership style.

Trading Boots for a Briefcase

Leaving the military wasn’t driven by burnout; it was about life circumstances. Hugh had a family, and stepping into private security in the Middle East seemed like a logical and financially viable next step. However, it wasn’t the career move he had hoped for.

“It’s not a great job for professional growth,” Hugh admits. The skills are very specific and not easily transferable, and “the industry was already in decline.” Still, he used his time wisely - networking, doing side jobs, having some great work colleagues and role models on his radar, and preparing for a proper return to the UK workforce.

Finding Tech by Accident

Like many veterans, Hugh didn’t have a five-year plan for civilian life. He found his way into the tech industry through a chance connection - someone he’d networked with happened to be a senior leader at Viasat. Suddenly, Hugh had his foot in the door.

But it was a steep learning curve. “I thought I knew tech, but I didn’t. I didn’t even know how a company like this really operated.” So, he applied the same principles that helped him thrive in the Army: learn fast, ask questions, stay humble.

He started in project management, soaked up knowledge, and eventually progressed into his current service management role, overseeing critical technical operations for global clients.

Transferring Military Skills to the Corporate World

Leadership under pressure. Coordinating diverse teams. Risk management. Hugh believes the military trains people in exactly the right skills to thrive in complex corporate environments, especially when things go wrong.

“The world underestimates what we’ve done and what we’ve learned,” he says. “We know how to handle chaos. We’ve had to.”

He also credits Viasat for recognising and supporting that transition. With multiple internal moves, hands-on development, and freedom to shape his role, the company gave Hugh the space to grow.

What Should Veterans Look For?

For service leavers exploring tech careers, Hugh’s advice is clear:

• Look beyond the brand name - dig into company culture.
• Find employers with real development schemes (Viasat supported him through Level 3–7 qualifications).
• Talk to employees, not just HR. Reach out on LinkedIn and ask what it’s really like.

And most importantly: just get a job. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The goal is to get into the civilian world, start learning, and figure things out from there.

Looking to the Future

With a keen interest in machine learning, Hugh is currently studying data analytics to better understand how AI will impact his industry. He’s a firm believer that while automation is coming, the rise of AI will make soft skills even more valuable, not less.

“AI can’t negotiate, can’t empathise, can’t build trust. Those are the skills that will matter most.”

Final Advice for Service Leavers

“We undervalue ourselves when we leave,” Hugh says. “But if we apply ourselves the way we did in uniform, we’ll be an asset in any team.”

His biggest tip? Speak to people. Whether it’s a recruiter, an ex-military contact, or someone in the industry, networking is the key to unlocking new opportunities.

Quickfire Insights

Hugh concludes with our quick-fire questions, where he reflects on the biggest lessons he’s learnt, the advice he would give to his younger self, the most rewarding aspect of his job, the future tech that has sparked his interest, and his strategy for staying motivated.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Route to Networking with Hugh Keir to hear more on resilience, leadership, and building a second career from the ground up.

🔗Connect with Hugh on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-keir-6ba629161/