Tesco : Supporting our Armed Forces

29 Jun 2018

In 1919, Jack Cohen began selling surplus groceries from a stall in the East End of London.

He had left the Royal Flying Corp at the end of the Great War and used his demob money to buy the first day's stock. This is how Tesco was born.

Tesco has a long association with the armed forces dating right back to our founder. As Armed Forces Sponsor at Tesco Bank it's my job to make sure that we do everything we can to support our military colleagues and their families. I joined Tesco Bank in 2009 following a thirty year career in policing, during which I worked closely with our armed forces. I have great respect and admiration for the commitment they and their families give to protect our country, and I'm proud of the work we are doing.

In 2015, we launched our Armed Forces Network which brings together former and current members of the armed forces, and their families. As a network, we're looking to co-ordinate a number of activities - ranging from social activities to those that aim to support and develop colleagues and former members of the armed forces, helping them to find their way.

To ensure that those colleagues who are active in the military get the time off they need, we offer an industry-leading reservist package that includes two weeks' full pay for mandatory training and an additional five days' fully paid leave for military activities. This week to mark Reserves Day on Wednesday, Reservists wore their uniforms to work, so that we could thank them for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to serving our country.

As part of the wider Tesco Group, we were also the first retailer to sign the Ministry of Defence's Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. At the time of signing, we made a commitment that we will always look to do more for our heroes who regularly put their lives on the line to defend our country.

Here at Tesco Bank, we're really proud to play our part in supporting our armed forces community, past and present.