Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Associations Connecting Defence with Society Conference

Last week Claire Wright had the honour of being invited to join the employer panel at the Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Associations Connecting Defence with Society Conference at Lancaster House where the Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns OBE MC MP, presided over this year’s conference.

Claire was joined on the panel by Scottish Engineering, Sodexo and Gp Capt Simon Briggs, fellow ERS Gold Award holders and hosted by Neil Jackson: Director DRM, to share our views on ‘The benefit of Golds, selling the benefits of ERS Golds into Defence”.  This discussion really highlighted the benefit to business in employing and supporting Reservists and Veterans, particularly their transferrable skills, attitude to training, dependability, versatility and that’s just what we as employers benefit from, as well as being able to support the Armed Forces Community understanding and respecting what regular and reservist service personnel, veterans and military families bring to our organisations, communities and the country.

The speakers for the day were inspiring;

• Captain N R V Dorman RD RNR – Board Chair, CRFCA
• The Rt Hon Alistair Carns OBE MC MP –  Minister for Veterans and People
• General Dame S P M Nesmith DCB ADC Gen – Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
• Major General Marc Overton TD DL VR – Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets)
• Major General The Lord Lancaster TD  VR PC – Director Reserves
• Air Vice Marshal Ranald Munro CB CBE TD VR DL ADC
  Commandant General RAuxAF and Director Reserves
• Brigadier Tim Jenkins OBE TD VR -Deputy Director Reserves
• The Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT GCMG PC FRSA FRSE
  Review Lead – Strategic Defence Review, Former Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General
• Air Chief Marshal The Lord Peach of Grantham KG GCB KCB DL
  CRFCA President

If you are not aware of the Armed Forces Covenant and Employer Recognition Scheme I would urge you to have a look and get involved, I am happy for anyone to contact me for any help or signposting https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/show-your-support/sign-the-covenant/