From REME to Real Impact: Amy Wilson’s story
Amy Wilson, Food Service Manager at Colchester PFI started her career journey at just 17 years old when she joined the Army, training as a mechanic with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). It was an experience that would shape her mindset and approach to work for years to come. Her early career took her overseas, including several years in Osnabrück, before a deployment to Bosnia where she met her husband. More than two decades later, they remain together, building a life shaped by military service and shared experience.
Amy continued her Army career for a further five years, but starting a family brought a difficult decision. At the time, having a child often meant stepping away from long-term progression in the military. Faced with that reality, she chose to leave. Looking back, it is a decision she reflects on honestly, acknowledging that while there have been moments of doubt, it ultimately led her to where she is today.
Following her husband's postings, Amy moved across several locations including Canada, Germany and Bath, before eventually settling in Colchester twelve years ago. It was here that she first connected with Sodexo, applying for two roles and securing a position as a supervisor in a military mess. It was a step into a completely new industry.
Coming from a mechanical background, catering was not something Amy had ever planned to pursue. However, her exposure to regimental life through functions and military events gave her a small foundation, and more importantly, Sodexo gave her the opportunity to learn.
I didn’t have all the knowledge when I started,” Amy explains. “But Sodexo supported me and taught me how to do things.
Within two years, Amy progressed into a Mess Manager role, taking on responsibilities such as finance and administration for the first time. It was a significant shift, but one she embraced fully. The opportunity to learn and be challenged became a defining part of her experience
I love being challenged,” she says. “If something needs doing, I’ll take it on. That’s something the Army gives you – you believe you can do it.
Supporting injured service personnel and helping them rebuild their lives felt personal, given her experiences and connections within the armed forces community.
“I knew people who had served in places like Bosnia and Iraq,” she says. “That role really struck a chord with me. I wanted to make things better for them.”
Amy describes her time there as incredibly rewarding, giving her a real sense of purpose. Although the unit later closed, it reinforced her passion for helping others and making a meaningful impact.
She then moved into a Centre Manager role within one of Sodexo’s dining facilities, once again stepping into something new and continuing to build on her experience. Alongside her core role, she also trained as a lived experience facilitator, something she initially found challenging, but which ultimately became another way for her to support others.
“It was difficult at first, but the training helped,” she explains. “It’s about making things better for people, and that’s what I want to do.”
“If someone asks me to do something, I’ll give it a go,” she says. “And if I don’t know how, I’ll work it out or reach out to colleagues.”
Now working within Sodexo and having experience recruiting others, Amy is a strong advocate for hiring people from the armed forces community. She is open about the fact that not every transition is straightforward, but firmly believes in the potential that ex-service personnel bring.
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Amy’s story highlights the value of recognising potential and creating opportunities for veterans and military families. With the right support and belief, the skills developed through service can open doors to new careers and continue to make a meaningful impact long after leaving the forces.