After overcoming life-changing injuries sustained during military service, a Lanarkshire veteran is urging others leaving the Armed Forces to use education as a pathway to a new career and purpose.
From battlefield to boardroom
David Dent MBE, who lives near Carluke, credits The Open University in Scotland’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund with helping him complete a Master of Business Administration in supporting a successful corporate career. Today, the ex-serviceman is a global vice president within the biopharmaceutical sector, an honorary professor at two UK universities and has chaired key Scottish Government working groups helping to redesign veterans’ mental health services.
The 59-year-old was honoured with an MBE for services to veterans, students and people with disabilities. As an ambassador for the Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund, David now encourages other former service personnel to consider education as part of their transition journey.
David's story: injury and recovery
Born into a military family and later serving as a frontline trauma specialist, David sustained blast and shrapnel injuries during service in Bosnia before suffering a further spinal injury in Northern Ireland. He retired from the Army in 2000 due to his injuries and now uses a wheelchair.
Studying through The Open University in Scotland enabled him to continue learning alongside rehabilitation and professional commitments with Parexel International that would have made attendance at a traditional university difficult.
Education as a reset
David said: “For many veterans, leaving the military can feel like losing a sense of identity, purpose and belonging. Education gave me a way forward and the scholarship was a hand up at exactly the right moment. It removed barriers and allowed me to invest in myself. The support created opportunity rather than dependency and helped me develop new skills, confidence and direction while adapting to civilian life with a disability.”
He added: “Military life provides structure, challenge and progression. When that suddenly changes, many people can struggle to find their next step. Studying with the OU helped bridge that gap. It restored a sense of momentum and gave me the tools to build a meaningful future beyond uniformed service. The flexibility was crucial. I could study around work, health appointments and rehabilitation. The focus was always on enabling performance rather than lowering expectations.”
Impact and leadership
David now plays a leading role in delivering the Scottish Government’s national veterans’ mental health reform programme, designed to improve access, consistency and support across Scotland. Martin Boyle, Principal of The Open University in Scotland, said: “David’s story demonstrates the extraordinary impact that education can have when talented individuals are given the opportunity and support to succeed. Veterans often bring exceptional experience, determination and leadership qualities. Through the Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund, we remove barriers that may stand in the way of further study and help people realise their potential, whatever challenges they may have faced.”
Scholarship details and accessibility
The Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund supports injured veterans by covering tuition costs and helping them access higher education through flexible learning. The initiative is designed to remove practical barriers and support veterans as they transition into civilian careers and communities. Thirty per cent of Open University students share they have a disability, making it one of the UK’s most accessible higher education providers. Its flexible model allows people to study wherever they live and alongside work, caring responsibilities or health conditions.
For David, the impact has extended far beyond gaining a qualification. The knowledge and confidence he developed through his MBA continue to influence his leadership roles, academic work and efforts to improve outcomes for veterans across Scotland. He believes many veterans possess valuable leadership, resilience and problem-solving skills that can be strengthened further through learning.
Advice to veterans
David added: “My advice to any veteran who is uncertain about what comes next is simple. Take time to invest in yourself. Education can be a powerful reset. It helps you build capability, discover new opportunities and create a future that is defined by potential rather than past circumstances.”
