Serco : commits to a further five years support to the UK’s Armed Forces

(pictured: Vice Admiral Tony Radakin CB, Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff with Rupert Soames, CEO Serco Group plc)

Serco's Group Chief Executive Rupert Soames OBE is today signing the Armed Forces Covenant, committing the company to a further five years of support, with Vice Admiral Tony Radakin CB, Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff.

As part of this commitment, Serco has pledged to double the number of Volunteer Reservists employed by the company to 150, encourage more military veterans to join Serco and provide increased benefits to Adult Cadet Instructors to support the work that they do with school age children.

Serco was one of the early signatories to what was then the 'Corporate Covenant' in 2013. Two years later, the company was one of the early achievers of the coveted 'Gold Award' under the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Employer Recognition Scheme for its outstanding support and commitment to the Armed Forces. The number of gold winners has expanded since then to 79 organisations and is due to increase to more than 100 this year. Jamie Black of Serco is the current chair of the Covenant's Gold Alumni Association, which aims to encourage and mentor other organisations to achieve this.

The Covenant is being penned at Royal Naval Base Portsmouth in the wheelhouse of SD Tempest, Serco's newest and most powerful tug. Tempest was commissioned especially to support the Royal Navy's new carriers and she plays a key role in moving HMS Queen Elizabeth in and out of Portsmouth.

Commenting on the re- signing, Rupert Soames, said: 'I am delighted to re-commit the company to the Armed Services Covenant, and to further enhance our support of the UK's Armed Forces. I am very proud that we not only employ a significant number of ex-service personnel across our business, but we also offer real support to employees who have volunteered to serve in the Reserve Forces. Serco has a proud history of providing critical support services and working with the UK's Armed Forces for over 50 years.

'We have replicated this effort with our military customers in North America and Australia, and the efforts that we make to support the military reflect the appreciation we have of the contribution and sacrifice that people working for the Armed Forces make'.

In response, Vice Admiral Tony Radakin CB, Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff said: 'The Armed Forces Covenant is an excellent example of the significant contribution organisations and local companies can make in supporting our servicemen and women.

'In pledging their continued support, Serco are demonstrating they recognise the value of both regular and reserve members as well as their military families and veterans. By signing today, Serco will continue to make a huge difference not only to those who serve but also the wider Naval family and it was a real pleasure to be present here on board their newest and most powerful vessel'.

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