From Military Life to Novuna: Sam’s Career Journey

Armed Forces Day, which took place on Saturday 28th June, is an opportunity to reflect on the service and dedication of those in the Armed Forces — past and present. At Novuna, we’re proud to support colleagues from all backgrounds, no matter where life has taken them before or where it may be taking them.

One of those colleagues is Sam Pearson, a former Commando and now Programme Manager in our Consumer Finance team. His story spans continents, operations, and now agile product delivery — proving that while the tools may change, the mindset stays the same.

From Army boots to agile squads

Sam joined the military at just 16. Over 15 years of service, he built a career that took him from Germany to Iraq, from the Arctic Circle to Afghanistan.

“The first half of my career was based in Germany — enjoying a bit of culture and perfecting my beer tasting. The second half was more serious, serving in a specialist Commando unit. I specialised in Arctic warfare, qualified as a ski instructor and a cold-weather warfare instructor, and worked closely with NATO and local security teams.”

While the environments varied — cold weather, desert heat, mountainous terrain — one thing remained constant: the importance of teamwork and trust.

“I was lucky enough to work with some of the most incredible (and occasionally unhinged) people. Those experiences pushed me outside my comfort zone and shaped who I am today.”

The transition to civilian life

After 15 years in the Forces, Sam decided it was time for a new challenge — but adjusting to civilian life wasn’t easy.

“It was… interesting. The military was all I’d known since I was a teenager. Suddenly, there were no rank structures, no early morning PT, and no need for direct communication that got straight to the point. It was a whole different world.”

Determined to succeed, Sam threw himself into upskilling. He earned a degree in Leadership and Management, completed several project management qualifications, and started building a new career in financial services.

“With a bit of grit, determination, and a sheer refusal to fail, I found my feet. I realised the fundamentals hadn’t changed — clear goals, strong teams, and delivering what matters.”

Leading change at Novuna

Today, Sam is the Programme Manager for CreditMaster3, Novuna’s loan origination system for Consumer Finance. He leads two agile squads delivering everything from new features to regulatory updates.

“I often describe it as herding highly intelligent cats while making sure the wheels don’t fall off. But honestly, I love it. I’m a huge believer in agile — not just as a process, but as a mindset. It’s about delivering value for customers, doing things properly, and constantly improving.”

Recently, Sam’s team shifted from Scrum to Kanban, refining their delivery and making space for more flow and less friction.

“It’s like swapping a strict diet for an all-you-can-eat buffet and somehow ending up leaner. We’re shipping features faster, tightening security, and avoiding breaking things in the process. It’s been a game changer.”

Life outside of work

When he’s not leading agile teams, Sam keeps active — lifting weights, getting out for cardio sessions, and (occasionally) indulging his love of chocolate.

“Lindt used to be my go-to, but I’ve discovered something even better: peanut butter and honey on sourdough. Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it.”

He’s also a big gamer — something he picked up during lockdown — and a lifelong petrolhead, though these days his turbocharged rally car has been swapped for an EV.

“Now it’s less tyre smoke and more toddler car seats. My daughter’s two and she brings so much joy. She even joins our morning stand-ups sometimes — she’s got a play kitchen and loves brewing imaginary tea for the team.”

Creating space for veterans at Novuna

Sam is passionate about building a community for veterans across Novuna — a space to connect, share experiences, and support one another through the unique challenges of life after the Forces.

“There’s no map and compass for civilian life. But with the right support and the right people around you, it becomes a whole lot easier. That’s why I wanted to share my story — not just to reflect on the past, but to connect with others who’ve made, or are thinking about making the same journey.”

“You don’t need a uniform to lead. The principles stay the same: communicate clearly, build strong teams, and stay focused on what matters.”

At Novuna, we recognise the leadership, resilience and strategic thinking veterans bring. And we’re proud to support them in building successful, purposeful careers.

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