In the early nineties, a Defence decision was taken to reduce the size of the British Army in a phased manpower draw-down called 'Options for Change'. Within this draw-down a large number of soldiers were made redundant at relatively short notice.  Whilst the package went some way to ease the burden of unexpected redundancy and transition into civilian employment, the family (regimental) support expected from such a large organisation was not as refined as the more polished outplacement process that exists today.

The bulk of soldiers leaving were passed into the then rudimentary resettlement system and advised - predominantly through unit staff supported by Resettlement Officers - to attend resettlement courses to assist transition.  The Royal Artillery felt strongly that they should and could do more to support those being made redundant and made a Regimental decision to set up an organisation called "Gunner Options Advice and Liaison Service" or "GOALS".  The aim was clear: assist the Gunner Service leaver in the resettlement process and aid the transition from military to civilian life.

Back in 1993, Mike Nicholson - then a serving Gunner officer - set up and ran the GOALS team helping Gunner service leavers until 1995 when he left the Service and eventually formed the early version of The List.  Initially Mike only had 440 members which he nurtured through presentations and his personal networking skills.

Over the next eight years, Mike attended numerous networking events and gave a host of briefings to a target audience numbering thousands.  During this time members joined in their droves.  Mike single-handedly ran Network meetings in the form of Liquid List meetings; ran a website and database that needed updating daily and visited numerous resettlement establishments offering his wealth of resettlement experience to anyone who needed it.  The List was expanded to embrace all Services and all ranks during this period which saw membership expanding rapidly to over 10,000.  Mikes personal endeavours, commitment and enthusiasm was at the heart of this growth.  

With an ever-increasing membership the work-load of running The List was such that Mike needed assitance; he therefore formed a company to trade as The List thus continuing to ensure that The List brand and reputation remained foremost in the ex-Service community and among the many thousands who have found The List invaluable to their business.

In 2008, PI Corporate Development Ltd a company with an ex-Services search division (PI Executive Transitions - headed up by Iain Campbell) made an offer for The List which was accepted.  Mike remains firmly in the fold and will continue to run the Liquid List and has undertaken to support the new venture with his enormous wealth of experience.