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Ex-soldier uses Army skills to turn vans into homes

Lewis Adams
BBC News, Essex
Oli Arnold Oli Arnold, who has brown hair and a beard, sitting on top of a van. The doors are open, with a bed and pillows pictured inside.Oli Arnold
Oli Arnold left the Army in 2019 to start his van conversion business

A soldier turned van converter is taking orders from across the globe after switching gears in his career.

Oli Arnold said customers from as far as Australia were asking him to kit out their vehicles at his workshop in Great Bromley, near Colchester in Essex.

The 34-year-old inspired other enthusiasts after he left the Royal Anglian Regiment in 2019, converted a van and went on a road trip with his wife Emily.

Having documented their journey online, he said it was "amazing" when people began to ask if he could build the van of their dreams.

Mr Arnold said some people decided to live full-time in their motor homes after they were converted.

One worked remotely in Greece, while others continued to tour the world - including trips to Scandinavia, the Balkans and northern Africa.

Oli Arnold Mr and Mrs Arnold sitting in a converted van and smiling. The van has a worktop, bed and kettle pictured. The couple are wearing navy company clothing.Oli Arnold
Oli and Emily Arnold inspired other people to kit out their vans while documenting a road trip around Europe

The van converter said he used his skills from being in the Army to boost the family business, having toured in Afghanistan, Cyprus and Kenya.

"We've had a customer from Switzerland deliver a van to us and we have a customer based in Australia," Mr Arnold said.

"We all put a lot of effort into every build, so it's a big moment when we hand over the van."

'Really big moment'

During his seven years of Army service, Mr Arnold rose to the rank of captain before he left in February 2019.

He used Army funding to take a construction course at Colchester Institute - skills he later used to convert his personal van.

Oli Arnold Four soldiers either standing or sitting next to a camouflaged Army vehicle. They are wearing camouflage uniform, with two holding guns.Oli Arnold
Mr Arnold (front left) said teamwork skills he learned in the Army helped him run a business

Mr Arnold said: "I went travelling around Europe with my wife when I left the Army and we documented it on Instagram.

"It picked up a lot of traction, with someone getting in touch to see if I could convert their van.

"Ever since then I've loved following our customers' journeys, it's a really big moment for them that often comes at a turning point in their lives."

Mr Arnold along with his wife Emily, a former NHS doctor, have since made the Vanlife Conversions business their full-time job, employing five other people.

He said despite the workshop being a "less stressful" environment than the battlefield, there were still comparisons to be drawn.

"The camaraderie is a big thing, I love being in a team working with people and that stems from the Army," the ex-soldier added.

"I definitely draw upon a lot of the experiences I had to make the business work."

Mr Arnold and Vanlife Conversions are due to exhibit at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham between Tuesday and Sunday.

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