Scott Communications Signs the Armed Forces Covenant
In support of Armed Forces Week 2019, Scott Communications joined the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and X-Forces Enterprise in Tunbridge Wells on 21 June to host an insight day for organisations wanting to learn about the benefits of hiring service leavers and reservists.
The event was well attended by local businesses and charities, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Barclays Bank, local councillors and keynote speaker, Tom Tugendhat MP. Tom spoke of his experience as a serving reservist in both Iraq and Afghanistan and how he recognises the invaluable talent former service personnel bring to the workplace.
Debbie and Tony Scott, co-founders and directors of Scott Communications, formalised their support for the Armed Forces by signing their business up to the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a commitment to treat all past and present members of the military fairly.
Scott Communications is keen to demonstrate to other organisations, both large and small, that it is possible to go the extra mile in supporting the military, even when you’re effectively a small business start-up.
Debbie Scott, organiser of the event, and co-founder and director of Scott Communications, said:
‘As a former Royal Naval Reservist, my passion for supporting the Armed Forces is engrained in me. Also, my previous work in the corporate sector, especially while working for Atkins where I led the setting up of the Alumni Group in 2015 for businesses wanting to give something back to Defence, has instilled in me an appreciation for all that ex-forces personnel have to offer in the workplace. Having a strategy to hire veterans and reservists is so obvious if you want to tackle the skills gaps that most employers find themselves facing.’
Tom Tugendhat added:
‘I was delighted to support the event in Tunbridge Wells. I know from personal experience the transition from military life to civilian life can be tricky. Any support we can give our service leavers, in particular when they continue to contribute to society and the economy through business and self-employment, is a good thing.’
The day closed with other local businesses keen to work with the Barclays VETS programme that helps place veterans into civilian work and guides businesses in finding the right people to hire from this untapped talent pool. Businesses were also keen to follow up with the MoD to learn more about how they can sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
Scott Communications and the FSB are already planning the next event with the support of Tom Tugendhat, who is actively campaigning for a dedicated Veterans Minister to sit across Government.
Notes
Over 3,000 businesses have now signed the Armed Forces Covenant, each committing to acknowledge and understand that those who serve, or have served, in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, society and economy they serve with their lives. Find out more about how your organisation can sign the Armed Forces Covenant here.
Scott Communications offers a bespoke service in guiding organisations through the journey of building up internal support for the Armed Forces, taking the first step by signing the Armed Forces Covenant and nominating for an Employer Recognition Service Award. Debbie has worked with companies of all sizes including Hewlett-Packard, Atkins and X-Forces to help them achieve the highest level of recognition for their support for the Defence community.
If your company is interested in showing its support for our forces then please contact Scott Communications to find out more.
