Laura’s Journey: Life as a Military Spouse and Thriving at Grundon
Created on 1 May 2025
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Updated on 1 May 2025
For Laura, Learning & Development Trainer at Grundon, the British Army has played a powerful role in her life. Her husband Robin, a Major in the Army’s Staff Personal Support (SPS) Branch, has served since 2008. Since they met in 2014, the military has been a constant part of their relationship – shaping their experiences, family life and even Laura’s career.
Robin’s role often demands long hours, unpredictable schedules, and frequent travel. Most recently, he has been deployed to the Middle East on a six-month operational deployment, adding a new level of challenge for Laura as she balances work, parenting and the emotional load that comes with having a partner serving overseas. But she doesn't face this alone – thanks to the support and flexibility offered by Grundon, she’s been able to not only manage but continue to thrive.
Before joining Grundon, Laura trained and worked as a primary school teacher. It was a deeply rewarding chapter of her life but over time, she felt a calling to take her passion for learning and development in a new direction. That calling led her to Grundon, where she hasn’t looked back since.
Laura joined the business nearly seven years ago and has since flourished, recently stepping into her current role as a Learning and Development Trainer. Laura says “The last seven years at Grundon have been the best part of my career to date.”
“The last seven years at Grundon have been the best part of my career to date.”
The shift from education to the corporate world might have been daunting, but the encouragement and support she received gave her the confidence to grow.
One of the defining moments of Laura’s journey at Grundon came just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Struggling with health challenges that affected her ability to drive, Laura feared her time with the company might be cut short. However, Grundon’s response was anything but typical. With understanding and compassion, they created the space for her to work remotely – a vital support not only during her recovery but also during her first pregnancy as lockdowns took hold across the UK.
This experience deepened Laura’s appreciation for Grundon. Since then, she’s achieved her CIPD Level 3 in People Practice and is nearing completion of her Level 5 Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development.
“Grundon has remained a steady, supportive presence, encouraged my ambition and invested in my growth,” she says. “The company’s ethos has always stood out to me. Being surrounded by people who genuinely believe in what they do has helped me to be my authentic self. I’ve always felt empowered to contribute, even if it’s in a small way, to the success of this family-owned business.”
Now in her training role, Laura pays forward the support she’s received. She’s passionate about helping colleagues grow in confidence and develop their skills.
“Helping people thrive in their careers and align their growth with our goals – that’s what I love most. When we believe in our people and give them the tools to succeed, we all win.”
Despite the pressures of military life, especially during deployments, Laura feels fortunate.
“Robin’s role can be tough – long days, little notice, and now, time away from home. But Grundon has been unbelievably supportive throughout it all. They understand the pressures of military life and have gone above and beyond to help me keep things together.”
Laura’s story is a shining example of the impact a supportive workplace can have. Through challenges and change, she’s built a career she loves – and continues to help others do the same.