Compass reaffirms support to Armed Forces

Compass reaffirms support to Armed Forces

A company, which recognises the important role that Armed Forces spouses play in supporting their serving partners, has re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

Robin Mills, Managing Director, Compass Group UK & Ireland and the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE, Royal Navy co-signed the Armed Forces Covenant at The Oval in London.

Compass has already held the Gold Employer Recognition Scheme award for five years, having signed the Covenant as the 1000^th signatory in 2016 and being awarded gold in 2018. The business has expanded its pledges over this time to widen support to military spouses and partners (with the introduction of a specific policy) and Compass military dependants (introducing a series of dependants’ days for military families).

It is estimated that more than 1,000 of Compass’ employees are part of the Armed Forces community.

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, the updated pledges the company has made include:

• Spouses – enhanced support through the commitment to endeavour to redeploy military spouses to an alternative role internally on notification of posting; providing an additional day’s leave to support pre-post deployments
• Military families – introduction of military dependants’ days, providing families with days out
• Recruitment of veterans – enhancing support for those leaving the military, through access to webinars, guidance and work placements
• Ongoing support to its Reservists through the provision of 10 days’ leave to support with the training
• Widening partnerships with key military charities and recruitment partners.

Mr Mills said: “Supporting our employees who are part of the Armed Forces community is a real honour and we are proud to have so many veterans, Reservists, cadets and spouses in our business. I am delighted that we have re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which sees us strengthen our commitments to the Armed Forces community.”