4C’s Iain Nichols talks interdisciplinary training and data-driven innovation

Bringing 30+ years experience to training digital transformation

Hi Iain, when did you join the army?

I joined the Royal Engineers in 1988, serving first within 3 Commando Brigade at regimental duty both in the UK and with European partners in the Netherlands, France and Germany.

I attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned in 1992.  From there, I continued with regimental duty alternating between UK and Germany, during which time I served on operations in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

After completing my tour as a Squadron Commander in 2003, I began to work more in programme management primarily in a wide variety of training appointments, which is where much of the rest of my military career has been focused.

In addition to training jobs, I worked in NATO as an operational planner, in the UK Procurement Agency as a Capability Group Leader, and in Defence Engagement posts as both an Exchange Officer and Liaison Officer with the Bundeswehr in Germany.

What was your final role before leaving the army?

My final two years in the Army were spent with 6th UK Division in a newly formed organisation tasked to develop unconventional capabilities to counter hybrid threats and grey zone activities. Interestingly, 4C Strategies provided support for some of the pilot projects that were ongoing. After more than 30 years in the British Army, I retired, keen to explore new opportunities and have finally started to put down some roots in southwest England.

I am the 4C Strategies Campaign Lead for the British Army’s Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP). I will be working closely with the British Army to help them fully leverage the power of Exonaut across the training domain and better exploit the data it provides.

This is a major programme for the British Army, and offers real potential to modernise training and maximise the greatest training benefit from the available resources and opportunities. I believe that Exonaut offers a best in class capability enabling customers to train smarter and more effectively by using data to better understand training outcomes and inform decision making. With 4C Strategies working with such a wide range of international defence customers, Exonaut presents tangible opportunity to facilitate closer defence cooperation and interoperability.

Ultimately, this will improve British Army readiness, enable closer NATO, European and Allied defence cooperation, and contribute to improving international security. Exonaut is on the cutting edge of digital training and I’m excited to be a part of it.