From the Royal Marines to Financial Planning

After nearly 14 years in the Royal Marines, Scott Constable set up Seneca Financial Management alongside his business partner to help people make sense of their money – and, given his background, it made sense to start with those he’s spent a lot of his working life alongside: people leaving the forces, rebuilding after injury, or managing compensation from a claim.

Seneca Financial Management is an independent financial planning firm that gives clear, practical advice designed to set you and your family up for long-term success, without the jargon or hard sell. Whether it’s planning for life after service, managing an AFCS award, protecting a personal injury settlement, or building financial stability, their aim is simple: to help you make confident decisions about your future.

The Royal Marine’s Way

Scott’s background might sound familiar. He spent almost 14 years in the Royal Marines, and like most who’ve served, those years shaped who he is. The Royal Marines taught him how to think, how to lead, and what it means to turn up properly – both at work and at home.

The first half of Scott’s career was operational: deployments, exercises, and everything that comes with life in a Commando Unit. He was lucky to work alongside some of the finest people in some of the harshest environments, from the deserts of Afghanistan to deep inside the Arctic Circle. At some point, his focus shifted.

“I specialised in rehabilitation, helping injured personnel recover and get back to what they loved doing. That work took me to Headley Court and Stamford Hall, and later to running rehabilitation departments. I didn’t realise it then, but that experience would become invaluable later on”.

Rehab taught Scott that progress isn’t linear. It’s about consistency, patience, and having the right people around you. When you strip away the bravado and really listen to the person in front of you, you start to understand what truly matters, and that’s what allows you to build a plan that works.

Leaving the Corps

Eventually, Scott found himself on the other side of that conversation. An injury meant he was likely to be medically discharged – a seat Scott never thought he’d occupy.

Leaving the military was a change of pace for Scott.

“Like many, I found it stressful and uncertain, and it took time to adjust. I was lucky in one respect, I’d just become a dad, which gave me something new to focus on. It wasn’t the same structure or purpose I was used to, but it helped fill the gap.”

During that time, Scott also began a civil claim against the MOD. It’s been a long, detailed process and, at times, an exhausting one. It’s also made Scott realise how few people fully understand the financial side of these claims or the long-term implications of things like an AFCS award.

Those experiences changed how Scott thought about his future. Scott wanted to help people in similar positions, not as a rehabilitation specialist this time, but by giving them the financial clarity they deserve.

A New Chapter

After leaving the military, Scott retrained as an independent Financial Planner. It wasn’t an obvious leap, but it made sense. He’s always liked planning, problem-solving, and working with people, all skills that carry over from service life.

Scott joined one of the most respected firms in the North East, learning how proper independent advice should be delivered.

“It was rewarding work, but over time, I wanted to build something that reflected the principles I’d always lived by: discipline, honesty, and doing the right thing, even when nobody’s watching.

That’s how Seneca Financial Management came to life.

Why Seneca

Seneca is based in the North East but they work with clients across the UK. The name comes from the philosopher Seneca – someone who believed in calm thinking, resilience, and focusing on what you can actually control. That approach has guided a lot of what they do.

There’s a quote from Seneca that shaped the mindset of the business, careful preparation, solid foundations, and steady progress over time.

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

Seneca Financial Management plan to develop specialist teams so clients can work with people who genuinely understand their world:

A military and veterans team – supporting serving personnel, those leaving the forces, and those with AFCS or civil settlements.
A personal injury and Court of Protection team – working with solicitors and deputies to protect and manage compensation properly.
A private client team – helping families, professionals, and business owners plan for the long term.

Their goal is to keep advice personal, clear, and grounded in real-life experience.

What Seneca Stand For

Being veteran owned, it was important that Seneca had a clear set of values. These sit at the core of everything they do:

Excellence – striving to do things properly.
Community – working together and supporting those around us.
Curiosity – asking questions, learning, improving.
Adaptability – because things change, and good plans change with them.

One thing the military teaches well is that you can’t prepare for every situation, but you can prepare well, act with integrity, and look after your team.

Looking Ahead

Seneca isn’t just to build a business. It’s to create something that genuinely helps people.

Leaving the military, whether after five years or twenty, can be a big shift. There are things to consider about pensions, lump sums, investments, and protecting your family, and it can all feel like a minefield. Having someone explain things clearly, in plain English, can make a real difference.

Financial planning isn’t about chasing money. It’s about creating stability and choice – knowing that whatever happens next, you and your family are in a good place.

That’s what they’re here to do at Seneca: to give people clarity and confidence to move forward, one step at a time.

If you’re serving, about to leave, or already out and trying to make sense of what comes next, get in touch today. Scott has walked in your shoes – and sometimes, a simple conversation can make things a lot clearer.