ACA Qualified- looking to move into investment banking or asset management

I graduated from a target university in the UK (but not Ox/Cam/LSE) with a 2:1. I have worked in a Big 4 company with main clients being mainly hedge funds and a principal investments division of a large financial company (also worked on other clients consisting of mutual funds, investment managers and PE).

I returned to my country due to military service and hope to return to UK.

I am a CFA lvl 2 candidate, and also have passed FRM part 1.

I want to move into Asset Management (hedge funds would be better but I would expect the cut to much much higher to get in) but would prefer not to do risk/compliance or accounting, but have a front office focus. Given my ACA, I would think Research would be most appropriate.

But I have a 3 year gap in my CV (due to my military service). which is a big hole.

What are my possible options to move to asset mgmt or in a bank?

If making it directly into asset mgmt or bank is tough, I'm thinking of possibly gaining more experience at a Big 4, whether it be corporate finance or transaction services.
(Does Restructuring division also help gain experience?)

There is an Investment Advisory division in the Big 4 company I used to work in, which provides advice to institutional investors on investment arrangements.
Would working in this area help me gain some experience that could be utilized in asset mgmt?

I know moving from Big 4 Audit to front office is difficult, but I am wondering what is the best way for me to gain the experience that I need to make to transfer.