Catterick — the largest British Army garrison

Catterick Garrison is the largest garrison in the British Army, home to thousands of serving personnel, their families, and a significant veteran and reservist community across North Yorkshire. It is also home to the Infantry Training Centre, where new soldiers begin their careers.

Chris advises at Catterick. Whether you are in initial training, posted to one of the resident units, or settled in the area with your family, the support is the same: a named person who understands military life, military pay, and the specific financial pressures that come with serving.

The ITC connection

The Infantry Training Centre at Catterick is where the Absolute Academy is delivered to recruits at the start of their careers. The Academy is a free financial education programme covering pay, tax, borrowing, saving, insurance, pensions, and more — ten modules with a certificate on completion that is recordable on your service record.

For recruits passing through ITC, the Academy provides the financial foundations before they reach their first unit. For those already serving at Catterick, Chris is available to help with the practical decisions — kit cover, personal accident insurance, life cover, and mortgages.

What we provide

Kit insurance — cover for issued and personal equipment against loss, theft, and damage. Premiums start from £7.00 per month and the policy is designed specifically for military use.

Personal accident cover — a tax-free lump sum if you sustain a qualifying injury on duty, on exercise, or during authorised sport. Cover starts at £3.79 per month and pays from £1,250 per qualifying injury. Fairer Finance, an FCA-authorised and regulated consumer research organisation we hold a paid subscription with, rated us first of eight for cover.

Life and serious illness cover — whole-of-market advice to find the right policy for your situation. We help you understand how your cover sits alongside the death-in-service benefit from AFPS.

Fee-free mortgage arranging — we arrange mortgages for military clients at no advice fee. We return £200 from the lender procuration fee directly to you on completion. John Greasby runs our in-house mortgage service and understands how military income, allowances, and posting cycles affect your application.

The Absolute Academy — free financial education built for serving personnel and recruits. Ten modules with a certificate on completion. Already delivered at ITC Catterick.

Buying a home near Catterick

North Yorkshire offers some of the most affordable housing in England relative to military salaries. Towns like Richmond, Northallerton, Darlington, and Thirsk are all within easy reach of the garrison and offer genuine value for first-time buyers.

Forces Help to Buy allows serving personnel to borrow up to 50% of their annual salary interest-free towards a deposit. Combined with a LISA and our fee-free mortgage service — plus £200 returned to you on completion — buying near Catterick is more achievable than many people expect.

How to get in touch

Chris advises at Catterick Garrison. You can arrange a face-to-face meeting on camp, a phone call, or a video call — whatever works around your duties. Use the app, call us directly, or speak to your unit welfare officer.

We are rated 4.8 on Trustpilot. You can read every review — unedited, unselected — on our Google Business Profile.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an Absolute Military adviser at Catterick?

Yes. Chris advises at Catterick Garrison.

Do I have to meet in person?

No. We offer face-to-face meetings on camp, phone calls, and video calls.

Is the Absolute Academy available at Catterick?

Yes. The Academy is delivered at the Infantry Training Centre as part of the recruit training programme. Serving personnel can also access it through the app.

Is the service free?

Kit and personal accident cover are paid products with monthly premiums. Life and serious illness advice is provided at no charge to you. Mortgage arranging is fee-free, and we return £200 from the lender procuration fee on completion. The Absolute Academy is completely free.

Can you help with Forces Help to Buy?

Yes. Our mortgage service handles FHTB applications alongside conventional mortgage arranging.

Ready? Get in touch with Chris through the app or call the team directly. No pressure, no obligation — just a conversation about what matters to you.