Quincy Acquah: From Royal Engineers to Build Manager

We caught up with Quincy Acquah, Build Manager at Willmott Dixon and former WO1 (Warrant Officer Class 1) in the Royal Engineers, to hear about his transition into construction.

Tell us about your experience in the Royal Engineers

I spent 24 years in the Royal Engineers. We have a motto: "Ubique" (everywhere) which my story reflects. Your role shifts as you climb the ranks from Sapper to Corporal to Warrant Officer. You start as a technical specialist and finish as a keeper of standards, experience and the bridge between the commissioned officers and the soldiers.

The beauty of the Engineers is that we have a dual role. We are soldiers first, but trades and technicians second. If the battle group wants to move, we build the bridge. If the enemy wants to move, we detonate the bridge or place obstacles in their way.

Over those 24 years, my activities split into three main components: Combat Engineering, Counter-Explosive Ordnance (C-IED), and Disaster Relief and Peacekeeping.

What stands out most from your time in service?

To understand the military, you must understand that it is a lifestyle that you share with some outstanding like-minded people. You grow as a person learning from people of all walks of life. The brotherhood and sisterhood in a regiment are unmatched.

Finishing my career as a senior soldier of a regiment was immense. Not only did I pass on all my knowledge and experience to the soldiers, but I was also their voice, using my relationship with the Commanding Officer to implement changes and ensure that we were all well looked after both on camp and when deployed. It was a fantastic way to give back before leaving the military.

Career highlights

Deploying as part of a Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) team is an experience I am proud of, knowing your section just ensured everyone made it home safely that day.

Deploying to South Sudan to construct a field hospital was incredibly rewarding. Seeing a fully-functioning medical facility rise out of the dust gave a massive sense of tangible achievement.

My absolute favourite posting remains serving at a Training Establishment. Transitioning into an instructor role to train the next generation of Sappers was incredibly fulfilling. You get to pass on all those hard-earned lessons, sharpening your own skills while watching raw recruits transform into confident combat engineers.

How did you transition into construction?

I officially left the Royal Engineers in February, and my route to joining Willmott Dixon was through two work placements.

I connected with BuildForce, an incredible organisation specifically set up to mentor and transition service leavers into careers within the construction industry. They have helped the majority of my friends and colleagues gain employment.

I also went through the standard Career Transition Partnership pipeline to manage the baseline resettlement process, CV workshops, and initial transition advice.

Once I got involved with Willmott Dixon, the social value team was a massive help, alongside the first-hand support from the guys on the ground.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all.

First impressions of the industry and your role

My initial impression of the construction industry is one of immense dynamic energy and collaboration, where vision transforms into tangible reality.

Working with Willmott Dixon has been an incredibly inspiring experience. There is zero compromise on quality or safety, fostering a transparent environment where everyone is supported to deliver.

Transferable skills

The core DNA of both positions is similar, delivering complex engineering solutions under pressure, safely, on time, and to an exacting standard.

Relying on diverse teams translates directly into a deep respect for our sub-contractors and supply chain partners.

Communication is key, ensuring everyone knows what ‘good’ looks like.

Advice for others leaving the Armed Forces

Remember, the hardest things to teach are the qualities you already possess - unwavering reliability, adaptability, strong leadership, and an exceptional work ethic.

Reframe your military experience into universal strengths. Your ability to manage logistics, lead teams under pressure, and ensure a job is done correctly the first time is highly sought after in any sector.

Believing in the power of your transferable skills while maintaining a humble, respectful eagerness to learn from the civilian experts around you is the ultimate formula for a thriving second career… and enjoy the journey.

Life outside work

Outside of work, I am all about staying active and making the most of my time with family and friends. I play golf and football in my spare time depending on the season, whilst staying fit and active in the gym.