THE MAN who turned the concept of a centre which would change the lives of war-torn soldiers is moving on to new challenges.

Mo Usman, 53, was tasked with setting up a new northern recovery centre in Catterick Garrison in 2010 and created Phoenix House – a centre which gives wounded, injured and sick veterans and serving personnel the chance to reclaim their lives.

Mr Usman is now in his final weeks as recovery centre manager at Phoenix House after accepting an offer to set up a new commercial bank, which will see him based in Dubai after a stint in London.

Although it is a far cry from his Yorkshire Dales home and daily work with the beneficiaries of the Help for Heroes-run centre, he sees the similarities from the early days of his role developing Phoenix House.

“I was leaving the Army, where I had been a Lieutenant Colonel with the Royal Logistics Corp, when I heard about the project to create Phoenix House,” he said.

“I got the job – and was told I needed to go to Catterick, find myself an office and then work out where the centre could go. I didn’t get detailed instructions but that was fine for me, if anything it was better that I could built it up myself.”

Mr Usman worked had to recruit a military team and a Help for Heroes team, which would run the various services within Phoenix House.

He said his teams are what he is most proud of – and knows he is leaving the centre in very capable hands.

He added: “It was been so rewarding to see what difference we can make to the lives of our beneficiaries.

“Being in the military myself, I understand the horrors of what people have been through. Now when I see someone will obvious physical or hidden mental wounds, it is so inspiring to see them overcome their personal obstacles.”

The centre offers extensive sporting rehabilitation and encourages its users to take part in challenges such as the Hero Ride, cycling from Edinburgh to London.

It also gives veterans and personnel the chance to express themselves through woodwork, art and music – and a popular event in Phoenix House’s calendar is the annual fashion show.

Mr Usman added: “It will be difficult emotionally to leave, but I will always be a supporter of Phoenix House and Help for Heroes.”