There is nothing wrong with the military style of command as long as it is applied in the right way

So does Mr Smith apply the same military "command down" style in the boardroom as he does on the battlefield? "Not necessarily," he said, while at the same time recognising that in the last few years Britain has come to crossroads when it comes to leadership style in the work place, with the City seeing the military school of thought come head-to-head with the MBA school of thought. He said: "There is nothing wrong with the military style of command as long as it is applied in the right way. It is a more empowering style than people imagine it to be. There is a thing called 'mission command' where you tell people what you need them to do, but not how to do it, ensuring they have the freedom and knowledge to complete the task and if they are not clear on the direction then they can always come back and ask. It is a very delegatory style of management, even though from the outside people might not think it is or appreciate that it is."

Mr Smith also added that the leadership skills he has acquired in heading up the TA regiment has come in useful in his nine to five job of managing financial advisers in London. He said: "On these military operations you learn how to manage and motivate people under a wide variety of circumstances. You have to lead people and get them to perform when they are cold, wet, tired and hungry, and get them to focus."

Despite attainting skills which have proven useful in the boardroom, Mr Smith admitted that his true attraction to the military lies in the challenges it poses. It is this hunger for a challenge that has seen him scale Kilimanjaro, make his way to base camp on Mount Everest, obtain his private pilot's licence and conquer a range of other extreme activities which one does not normally expect from a suit and tied financial adviser.

Bringing new meaning to the cliche that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going, Mr Smith cross-subsidises the leadership and conflict management skills he has aquired in his career in the defence forces and his experience in the financial services industry. Whether it be Iraq, Afghanistan, bomb disposal or simply taking the credit crunch by the horns, here is someone who certainly has the training and the stomach for a challenge.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Jan 1994 to July 1995: Financial Planning Consultant, Axa Equity and Law.

1995 to 1999: Financial Planning Manager, Midland Bank

1999 to 2001: Sales Manager, HSBC

2001 to 2002: Area Sales Manager, Uxbridge Area, HSBC

2002 to 2007: Area Financial Services Manager, North London HSBC

2007 to present Regional Premier Manager, East London, HSBC

Feb 2006 to Aug 2008 Commanding Officer 101 Engineer Regiment (EOD) (V), the UK's Reserve Bomb Disposal Regiment.

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