Making training count - Local accountant takes command of Army Training Unit (West)

One of the South West’s leading tax experts is adding to the day job with a senior role in the armed forces. As of 01 January 2020 Jean-Paul Quertier, a Lt Col in the Army Reserves and partner at Exeter-based Chartered Accountancy firm Simpkins Edwards, will be taking command of Army Training Unit (West).

Overseeing more than 500 Army Reserve recruits passing through both Wyvern Barracks in Exeter, and Maindy Barracks in Cardiff, Lt Col Quertier will spend the next two and a half years working four days a week at Simpkins Edwards and one day per week within the Unit. Responsible for providing Basic Training to Army Reserve recruits via modular, residential and specialist courses, the Army Training Unit (West) is part of the Army’s Initial Training Group.

Jean-Paul’s additional role has been made possible by Simpkins Edwards’ commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. Under the Covenant, the firm backs the Armed Forces Community through support for its Reservist employees, both current and future. Having done so for many years, Simpkins Edwards is a Silver Award winner of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

Mary Jane Campbell, Senior Partner at Simpkins Edwards, commented: “Jean-Paul is a great example for all those around him, both in the workplace and in the military. As a business, we are committed to supporting Jean-Paul and all Reservists that commit their time and holidays to the armed forces.”

Jean-Paul Quertier joined the Army Reserve (then the Territorial Army) over 26 years ago. He has since had two operational attachments to the regular Army, serving as a Lieutenant in Bosnia with the Welsh Guards in 2002 and then in Afghanistan as a Captain with the Gurkhas in 2004.

He has risen through the ranks and has served in a number of roles including Company Command, Battalion 2ic 6 RIFLES; Instructor at Land Warfare School; Officer Commanding Junior Wing at Bristol University Officer Training Corps, and on the staff at The Defence Academy. Jean-Paul has served overseas with stints in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Romania and Cyprus.

Commenting on his new posting, Jean-Paul said: “It is a huge privilege to take on this role at the Army Training Unit (West). Our function is to train the Army Reserve soldiers of the future. These men and women will play a vital role in supporting the regular Army both in the UK and on overseas operations around the world.

“Thanks to the support of Simpkins Edwards, I am able to spend the next two and a half years ensuring that all Army Reserve soldiers coming through our doors receive the training that they need to become professional soldiers, enhancing their skills, strengthening their breadth of knowledge and cross-transferable skills that are so valuable in the modern working environment.”