New charity to provide enhanced employment support

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

New charity to provide enhanced employment support  

The Officers’ Association (OA) and RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity are working to create a single charity to provide career support to all Service leavers, veterans, reservists, and their families in the UK.  

The new organisation, Forces Employment Charity, will provide support, jobs and training opportunities to Service leavers and veterans, as well as their families, acting as a bridge between the military and the civilian world of work. Between them, the charities helped over 25,000 ex-military personnel in 2021.  

Historically, the OA has existed to help officers, and the RFEA has supported veterans and Service leavers of all ranks. Whilst having a different focus, both organisations are driven by a desire to achieve the best outcomes for their beneficiaries.  

Forces Employment Charity will be headquartered in Mountbarrow House, London, and led by Alistair Halliday, current Chief Executive of RFEA, and the new Board of Trustees will be comprised of trustees from both charities. Ben Farrell MBE, a current trustee of the OA, will be appointed the new Chairman of Trustees.  

The OA’s CEO, Lee Holloway, will continue to run the OA’s grants and welfare services to officers and their dependants.   

Ben Farrell MBE said: “We are committed to continuing the OA and RFEA’s current programmes, retaining the advantages of having a bespoke service for the Officer Corps, and delivering all existing contracts to the highest standards.”  

Alistair Halliday said: “This is an exciting new chapter for everyone connected with the OA and RFEA, and I am confident that Forces Employment Charity will build on the excellent work of both charities, and has a bright future ahead.”  

Lee Holloway said: “This combination will benefit military personnel of all ranks, including officers, who will see their support enhanced through access to a wider range of programmes, such as Military Women and Partners programmes, Project Nova and Ex Forces Employment.”