Being Forces Friendly Podcast

This episode’s host is Kate Lole, one of three Regional Employer Engagement Directors based in the South East. She talks to Shaun Cunningham of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, Laura Farrow of South Central Ambulance Service and Stuart Bosley of Thames Valley Police. 

During the episode, Kate and our guests discuss the importance of the Armed Forces Covenant, the Employer Recognition Scheme and how these programmes helped shape their support to the Armed Forces community. 

• CTP: https://www.ctp.org.uk/ 
• Op Courage: https://www.humber.nhs.uk/downloads/Veterans/Op%20COURAGE%20Leaflet.pdf 
• SSAFA: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/
• British Legion: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/
• Veterans Welfare Service: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/veterans-welfare-service 
• Poppy Factory: https://www.poppyfactory.org/ 
• Department for Work and Pensions: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions 
• Armed Forces Covenant: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ 
• Defence Employer Recognition Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme

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Adventures by A Himitsu
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Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes is an Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European multi medallist, a dame commander and MBE for services to the military, winner of sports personality of the year, European and world athlete of the year and an honorary colonel in the British Army. She is also an author, podcast host and is passionate about raising awareness of mental health. And she was this year’s Partnering with Defence virtual conference keynote speaker. In this Partnering with Defence special episode Neil ‘Jacko’ Jackson, Director of Defence Relationship Management, spoke to Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes following her keynote speech at this year’s virtual conference all about her experiences in the British Army, her life as a world renowned athlete and how she went about setting up her charity, the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. 

Kelly Holmes Website: http://kellyholmes.co.uk/ 

Dame Kelly Holmes Trust: https://www.damekellyholmestrust.org/ 

Kelly Holmes Twitter: https://twitter.com/damekellyholmes 

Partnering with Defence Conference Website: https://pwdconference.com/ 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

DRM Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC by 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

On 21 March, the 2021 census will ask respondents to state if they have ever served in the UK Armed Forces, Regular or Reserve. In this episode Neil ‘Jacko’ Jackson (Director, Defence Relationship Management), speaks with Kerryanne Wilde (Census Engagement Manager, Office for National Statistics), Damian Paterson (Deputy Director, Office for Veteran’s Affairs) and General Sir John McColl (Chairman, Cobseo) about the inclusion of this question, what it means for the UK’s veteran population and how it will help the UK become the best place in the world to be a veteran. What is the census? The census provides data on how members of society live and work, as well as informing government policy, planning and funding decisions at both a national and local level. It takes place every ten years, and collects information about people and their households. The next census is being held on 21 March 2021. This year there will be a veterans question included in the census, this means that for the first time veterans will be able to identify themselves as former military personnel. The inclusion of this question will allow for improved veterans services, with the data collected going towards informing and improving support services for former personnel. 

ONS Website (Census Page): https://www.ons.gov.uk/census 

Cobseo Website: https://www.cobseo.org.uk/ 

OVA Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-veterans-affairs

DRM Gov.uk page: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Veteran Fact Sheet 2020: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-factsheet-2020 

The Strategy for our Veterans: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategy-for-our-veterans 

Veterans News and Communications Hub:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/veterans-news-and-communications-hub 

Strengthening the Covenant in Legislation: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/strengthening-the-covenant-in-legislation/ 

RBL - Count them in Campaign: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/things-to-do/campaigns-policy-and-research/campaigns/count-them-in 

Armed Forces Covenant Website: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

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Fujitsu is one of the top five information and communication technology providers in the world, with over 5 decades of experience delivering technology solutions to the UK Defence market. They first signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2014, which they re-signed in 2016. They joined the Employer Recognition Scheme and were first awarded Gold ERS in 2015 which was successfully revalidated in 2020. They have been industry leaders in their advocacy of the Armed Forces community for many years. Ben Onions, British Army veteran and National Account Manager for technology and telecommunication at DRM speaks to Tim Gibson, Vice President Defence and National Security and Bridget Ward, Head of People and Third Party Engagement Defence and National Security at Fujitsu UK about Fujitsu’s long standing relationship with Defence and their ongoing advocacy for the Armed Forces Community. 

CDP: Chief of Defence People 

MOD: Ministry of Defence 

ERS: Employer Recognition Scheme 

AFC: Armed Forces Covenant 

Fujitsu Defence: https://www.fujitsu.com/uk/solutions/industry/defence-national-security/ 

Fujitsu Defence Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fujitsu_Defence 

Fujitsu UK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fujitsuuk/ 

SSAFA: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAt9z-BRBCEiwA_bWv-OmMsMuVTa9D7egSrsIHerP42CVZ8nEpuLpEVWEa8YLlplvR96ABWBoCv-YQAvD_BwE 

Armed Forces Covenant website: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ 

Employer Recognition Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme 

DRM Gov.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

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The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the official provider of armed forces resettlement. It is a partnering agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Right Management, a global career development and outplacement organisation. CTP have recently launched a brand new Partner Career Support programme (PCSP) to provide career support to spouses and partners of members of the UK Armed Forces.

In episode 9, Nat Haynes, Assistant Director of Relationship Management talks to Charlene Brookes, the Project Manager for PCSP and Lauren Hayden, a Career Consultant at CTP about this new programme launch. They discuss how the programme came about, who it is for and how it works. Charlene and Lauren explain how each participant is supported throughout and how the programme has been doing so far since its launch in October. 

MPGS: Military Provost Guard Service 

FTRS: Full Time Reserve Service 

MOD: Ministry of Defence 

CTP: https://www.ctp.org.uk/ 

CTP Twitter: https://twitter.com/CTPinfo 

Partner Career Support Programme: https://www.ctp.org.uk/partner-programme 

Naval Families Federations: https://nff.org.uk/ 

Army Families Federations: https://aff.org.uk/ 

RAF Families Federations: https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/ 

Forces Families Jobs: https://www.forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk/ 

X-Forces: https://www.x-forces.com/ 

Employer Recognition Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme 

DRM Gov.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

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Salesforce is a global leader in cloud enterprise software, helping organisations across the world to use cloud technology to better connect with their employees, customers, partners and communities. They have just received their Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award and are industry leaders in their advocacy for the Armed Forces Community. 

In Episode 8, DRM’s Veteran’s and Charities Communications manager Kylie Groves sits down with Sarwar Khan, Head of Government Affairs and James Moore, a Success Manager at Salesforce UK as well as being the UK Vetforce President. In part one they discuss Salesforce’s partnership with Defence, from signing the Armed Forces Covenant to gaining their Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award this year. Our guests cover a range of topics from Salesforce’s diverse military network through to the organisational values that underpin their commitment and support to the armed forces community. 

Salesforce Military: https://veterans.force.com/s/ 

Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/ 

Salesforce UK Twitter: https://twitter.com/SalesforceUK 

Armed Forces Covenant: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ 

Employer Recognition Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme 

DRM: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Office for Veterans' Affairs: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-veterans-affairs 

Career Transition Partnership: https://www.ctp.org.uk/ 

RFEA: https://www.rfea.org.uk/ 

The Poppy Factory: https://www.poppyfactory.org/ 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

Salesforce is a global leader in cloud enterprise software, helping organisations across the world to use cloud technology to better connect with their employees, customers, partners and communities. They have just received their Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award and are industry leaders in their advocacy for the Armed Forces Community. 

Episode 8 part two continues with DRM’s Veteran’s and Charities Communications manager Kylie Groves talking to Sarwar Khan (Head of Government Affairs) and James Moore (Success Manager) from Salesforces UK. In part two we talk more in depth about Salesforce’s Vetforce community and James’ own personal experience transitioning from the military into the civilian workplace. 

Salesforce Military: https://veterans.force.com/s/ 

Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/ 

Salesforce UK Twitter: https://twitter.com/SalesforceUK 

Armed Forces Covenant: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ 

Employer Recognition Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme 

DRM: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Office for Veterans' Affairs: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-veterans-affairs 

Career Transition Partnership: https://www.ctp.org.uk/ 

RFEA: https://www.rfea.org.uk/ 

The Poppy Factory: https://www.poppyfactory.org/ 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

DRM enables organisations to develop a mutually beneficial working relationship with the Ministry of Defence (MOD). DRM Account Managers and Regional Employer Engagement Directors actively manage these relationships with employers to ensure the continued support of Defence objectives and the successful implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant. 

In episode 7, Nat Haynes, Assistant Director of Relationship Management talks to Tony Matthews, National Account Manager at DRM and Jan Cox, Regional Employer Engagement Director at the North West RFCA about their roles in the employer engagement space of Defence. Touching on the differences in employer engagement on both a national level and on a regional level, they highlight the many different ways they help and manage the relationships they have with their accounts. This includes the support they provide through processes such as signing of the Armed Forces Covenant and progressing through the Employer Recognition Scheme. 

REED: Regional Employer Engagement Director 

NAM: National Account Manager

RFCA: Reserve Forces and Cadet Association 

CFAV: Cadet Force Adult Volunteers 

Armed Forces Covenant: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ 

Employer Recognition Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme 

Employer Engagement Handbook: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/896681/200626-_EE-Handbook.pdf 

Menu of Benefits: https://ersmenuofbenefits.com/ 

North West RFCA: https://www.nwrfca.org.uk/ 

Reserve Force and Cadet Association: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/reserve-forces-and-cadets-associations 

DRM Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support Defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. 

In Episode 6, Phil Marks, National Account Manager at DRM sits down with Roger Morton, the Group Performance Director from Bovis Homes (now part of Vistry Group) to discuss their relationship with Defence. Bovis Homes, a British housebuilding company, first signed the Armed Forces Covenant back in 2016. Last November they attained an ERS Gold Award. In this episode Roger chats about all things advocacy, best practice and what it means to win a Gold award. The REEB mentioned in the episode refers to the Regional Employer Engagement Board. Any statistics mentioned in this episode are the most recently available figures as of January 2020. Please note this episode was recorded prior to the UK Covid-19 Lockdown and social distancing measures. 

Vistry Group: https://www.vistrygroup.co.uk/ 

Employer Recognition Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

DRM GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management

Please note this episode was recorded prior to the UK Covid-19 Lockdown and any events mentioned to celebrate Armed Forces Week 2020 have been cancelled and are now being celebrated virtually. 

Episode 5: Reserves Day Special – Part of our Being Forces Friendly on the road series. Reservists play a crucial role in supporting UK defence, contributing many skills in specialist areas and taking part in peacekeeping and operations worldwide, over and above their day jobs. For this episode DRM went on the road and headed off to visit Airbus and sit down with some Reservists from the British Army and the Royal Air Force. With digital manager Tom Davies they discussed why they decided to become Reservists, what they love about it and how having a supportive employer like Airbus is important in balancing their civilian and military careers. 

Airbus Website: https://www.airbus.com/ 

Airbus in the UK Twitter: https://twitter.com/AirbusintheUK 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

DRM GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox

When we think of sport we tend to think about competition and rivalry, but to many sport is more than that. In this episode we explore the role of sport as a vehicle for recovery, confidence building and employability. Our host Alistair Halliday (RFEA) talks to Imran Khalil (Fighting Chance), Fred Hargreaves (Invictus Games) and James Cameron (Mission Motorsport) about how they use sport within their programmes to help veterans, serving personnel and their families overcome employment obstacles – be it from injury, illness or a lack of confidence and direction after leaving the service. This episode is hosted by RFEA Chief Executive Alistair Halliday and brought to you by DRM and COBSEO (The Confederation of Service Charities). Cobseo represents the whole Serving and Veterans Community. Membership is open to Charities who promote and further the welfare and general interests of the Armed Forces Community. Any statistics mentioned in this episode are the most recently available figures as of January 2020. Please note this episode was recorded prior to the UK Covid-19 Lockdown. 

Fighting Chance: http://thefightingchance.co.uk/ 

Invictus Games Foundation: https://invictusgamesfoundation.org/ 

Mission Motorsport: https://www.missionmotorsport.org/ 

RFEA: https://www.rfea.org.uk/ 

Veteran’s Gateway: https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/ 

Cobseo: https://www.cobseo.org.uk/ 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

DRM GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

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In episode 3 we ask the question ‘What is a Veteran’? Armed Forces veterans Des Fraser (Combat Pest Control), Michelle Osborne (J.P.Morgan) and Paul Kavanagh (Knives Down Gloves Up) join DRM Director and fellow veteran Neil (Jacko) Jackson to talk about what being a veteran means to them. Together they discuss their personal journeys from joining the Armed Forces to transitioning to civilian careers and how those experiences shaped their identity. Delving into the unique experiences of our guests, this episode highlights the positive contribution veterans makes to all sectors of society, and myth bust the commonly held negative stereotypes of our veteran population. Statistics mentioned in this episode are the most recently available figures as of January 2020. Please also note this episode was recorded prior to the UK Covid-19 Lockdown. 

Knives Down Gloves Up: https://knivesdownglovesup.co.uk/ 

JP Morgan UK Military Program: https://careers.jpmorgan.com/global/en/students/programs/military-uk

Combat Pest Control: https://www.combatpestcontrol.com/ 

Declassified Podcast: https://declassifiedpodcast.com/ 

Veteran Strategy: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategy-for-our-veterans 

DRM GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

In episode 2, Nat Haynes, Assistant Director DRM, sits down Caroline Woodward from the Royal Air Force Families Federation, Lucy Heaver from the Naval Families Federation and Kirsty Cameron from the Army Families Federation. The three federations are the independent voice for service families between the tri-services. They provide service personnel and their families with professional support and assistance with any issues they might be facing. With a highlight on spousal employment in the episode, we check in with them months after the launch of their joint venture, the Forces Families Jobs Portal. A great platform for spouses, partners & family members of military personnel to apply for jobs directly with employers, as well as find professional training opportunities. Statistics mentioned in the episode are correct as of January 2020. 

RAFF: https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/ 

AFF: https://aff.org.uk/ 

NFF: https://nff.org.uk/ 

Forces Family Jobs: https://www.forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk/ 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

DRM GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

Our first episode focuses on all things Gold Alumni Association (GAA)*. We are joined by Jamie Black, the Chairman of the GAA, Mark Arscott, the Deputy Chairman of the GAA and Head of Military Talent at BT, Darren Knight, the HM Forces Liaison Manager at Pertemps and Neil ‘Jacko’ Jackson the Director of DRM to discuss how and why the association started, the work they do and their aims for the future. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. *Please note the The Gold Alumni Association (GAA) is now the Gold Award Association (GAA). 

Jamie Black LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-black-16421414/ 

Mark Arscott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-r-scott/ 

Darren Knight LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-knight-278040126/ 

Neil ‘Jacko’ Jackson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-jacko-jackson-ma-fcmi-49b7191b/ 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

GAA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12117015/ 

DRM GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

Our first episode focuses on all things Gold Alumni Association (GAA)*. We are joined by Jamie Black, the Chairman of the GAA, Mark Arscott, the Deputy Chairman of the GAA and Head of Military Talent at BT, Darren Knight, the HM Forces Liaison Manager at Pertemps and Neil ‘Jacko’ Jackson the Director of DRM to discuss how and why the association started, the work they do and their aims for the future. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. *Please note the The Gold Alumni Association (GAA) is now the Gold Award Association (GAA) 

Jamie Black LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-black-16421414/ 

Mark Arscott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-r-scott/ 

Darren Knight LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-knight-278040126/ 

Neil ‘Jacko’ Jackson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-jacko-jackson-ma-fcmi-49b7191b/ 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

GAA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12117015/ 

DRM GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library