Restaurant chain McDonald’s is to undertake a major armed service leavers drive in the wake of 4,200 job cuts in the Army, Navy and RAF.

The company is hoping to find managers and will also look to place some early service leaders on its apprenticeship programme.

McDonald’s reputation and resourcing manager, Nicky Ivory-Chapman, says: “We have found that the skills learnt in the armed forces are transferable and well suited to a hands-on management role in a customer facing company such as McDonald’s.

Hugh Andrée, a former Army officer who founded ex-military recruitment consultancy ForceSelect, says: “I continue to be very concerned by the cuts which will reduce operational effectiveness and threaten the security of the UK.

“But I am delighted to be able to work with great companies such as McDonald’s to provide a wide range of career opportunities which will help combat unemployment and help boost the British economy.”