To kick-start 2025, Mersey Maritime held their first Face-2-Face networking breakfast at HMS Eaglet, with a key focus around the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC).
Guests received a presentation from Jan Cox, herself a retired Royal Navy Reservist, who is now one of the North West Regional Employer Engagement Director’s (REED) working for the Ministry of Defence in the region to promote the AFC as widely as possible. But rather than just hear the ‘nuts and bolts’ of what the AFC means and how organisations can get involved with it, we also offered the opportunity for a range of Mersey Maritime members to speak about their own personal testimonies and case studies around what being part of this scheme has meant for them, their business and the reputational importance of it to a wider audience.
Mersey Maritime first signed the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) in 2018 in recognition of its longstanding support for our services community, past and present, especially through our engagement with the Royal Navy. Since then, we’ve embarked on a journey to expand and develop this support beyond just the important principles contained within the Covenant itself, essential though that is. Many of our members are already engaged with this work and have taken great strides in their own commitment and support for it but, having achieved Defence Employer Recognition Scheme status ‘silver’ last year, we wanted to offer the opportunity to showcase what the AFC means to our members and give pointers around how they can get more involved, either for the first time or to build on existing commitments. At the time of our Silver Award application last year, Mersey Maritime’s membership and stakeholder engagement stood as follows:
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- Gold: 10
- Silver: 15
- Bronze: 16
- Armed Forces Covenant signatory: 3
The AFC was introduced in June 2013 and is now supported by thousands of companies who have publicly pledged their support to the armed forces community by signing it. In doing so, organisations pledge to honour two main principles:
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- No member of the armed forces community should face disadvantage at work or in the community compared to other citizens
- In some circumstances special consideration is appropriate for those who have given most, such as the injured or bereaved
Introducing her work, Jan commented on her mission and that of her colleagues, namely to develop partnerships with organisations throughout the UK; help partners understand the value of signing the Armed Forces Covenant; build mutually beneficial relationships for those organisations and Defence and provide support around employing Reservists, Veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military spouses/partners.
Member stories
The breakfast meeting was joined by Andrew Swingler – Resource & Capability Manager at Expleo, Simon Hammond – Warehouse Operations Manager at Kays Medical and Brian McWhirter – National Account Manager at Maritime Transport. Each gave fascinating and powerful insights into their engagement with the AFC.
Andrew Swingler, Resource & Capability Manager, Expleo Group
Andrew shared how Expleo’s decision to sign the Covenant initially stemmed from a desire to access defence tenders but evolved into a company-wide culture shift. By identifying and supporting veterans within their workforce, Expleo launched targeted recruitment campaigns and established a thriving Armed Forces Group. These efforts not only enhanced staff retention but also unlocked significant networking opportunities and boosted their employer reputation.
Simon Hammond, Warehouse Operations Manager, Kays Medical
Simon, a veteran himself, provided a heartfelt account of how the Armed Forces Covenant played a pivotal role in his transition to civilian employment. From being interviewed by a fellow veteran to experiencing a workplace that truly values military-acquired skills, Simon illustrated how the Covenant fosters fairness and inclusivity. He encouraged businesses to view the Covenant as a strategic opportunity to tap into the unparalleled skills and resilience veterans bring.
Brian McWhirter, National Account Manager, Maritime Transport
Brian highlighted Maritime Transport’s long-standing commitment to supporting ex-service personnel, from structured training programs like their Professional Driver Scheme to workplace initiatives that honour veterans’ contributions. Their poppy display campaign has become a symbol of this dedication, resonating with communities across the UK. Brian emphasized how the Covenant not only strengthens company culture but also builds positive public perception and trust.
Why your business should get involved
Our speakers made one thing clear: signing the Armed Forces Covenant is more than a gesture – it’s a gateway to new talent, meaningful collaboration, and a stronger, more inclusive workforce. Whether it’s connecting with disciplined and highly skilled individuals or creating pathways for service leavers to thrive, the Covenant offers tangible benefits for businesses of all sizes.
Mersey Maritime’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant is resolute going forward and we would recommend that our members embark in their own journey with this incredibly important scheme – either starting out by signing the covenant or moving through the bronze, silver and gold accreditations. We hope to embark on gold at some point soon! Jan Cox and her team are available to support you at every step of the journey, but to find out more initially, you may find the following links to be of assistance.
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- Armed Forces Covenant: www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk
- Defence Relationship Management: www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management
- Employer Recognition Schemehttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme
- Find your Regional Employer Engagement Director
Image – ©UK MOD Crown Copyright 202
