Carlisle law firm Wragg Mark-Bell is the latest employer to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
The firm’s operations director Nick Kennon, who recently took command of the 4th Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, led the move to sign up.
It means that Wragg Mark-Bell will offer support and benefits to members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families who are staff or clients.
Nick, an army reservist for more than 20 years, said: “We are proud to become signatories to the government’s Armed Forces Covenant.
“Businesses like ours can provide vital support to veterans, members of the armed forces and their families – it’s an opportunity to help them in return for the service they give to society.
“And businesses can also benefit greatly by employing former service personnel or reservists – they come with first-class training and many transferable skills such as teamwork, problem solving, leadership and a positive can-do approach.”
Wragg Mark-Bell’s pledges include guaranteed interviews for spouses and partners of service people if they meet the job criteria, and flexible leave to help families of servicemen and women and reservists deal with deployments or training. Wragg Mark-Bell will also offer discounts to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families.
The business has already gained the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award for its support for defence personnel.
Leading businesses which have signed the Armed Forces Covenant include Facebook, Sky, Halfords, Morgan Stanley and Salesforce.
In Cumbria there are 22 signatories including the county council and all the district councils, the University of Cumbria, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, BAE Systems, Eddie Stobart, GSK and Siemens.
Nick said: “I’d love to see more Cumbrian businesses signing the Covenant to show we are a county which supports our armed services – and to bring the skills and experience of forces people to strengthen our workforce.”
Wing Commander Chris Ashworth is the Ministry of Defence employer engagement director for the North West.
He said: “I’m delighted that Wragg Mark-Bell have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, publicly pledging to support the Armed Forces community.
“We are encouraging organisations to sign the Covenant, especially if they employ members of the Armed Forces community such as reservists, veterans, or cadet force adult volunteers.
“To date in Cumbria 22 organisations have done so, and 13 hold our Employer Recognition Scheme awards at Bronze and Silver levels, so Wragg Mark-Bell are joining a growing number of supportive employers in the county who are engaging in a partnership with Defence.
“There are many benefits to being “forces friendly” such as being able to recruit from our talented pool of service leavers and veterans, joining a regional and national network of like-minded organisations, being able to access opportunities such as teambuilding and staff development activities delivered by the Armed Forces, and receiving invitations to prestigious events.
“In Cumbria we are working in partnership with Cumbria County Council and several of the district councils, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, and Cumbria Chamber of Commerce to raise awareness of the opportunities for employers – particularly private businesses – in building a relationship with Defence and the Armed Forces community, and anyone wishing to know more can contact me directly for further information.”
Nick Kennon, 47, is a solicitor and senior director at Wragg Mark-Bell in Castle Street, Carlisle, as well as serving in the army.
He joined the Army Reserves at Carlisle Castle when he was 26 and has served around the world including in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Last year he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and took charge of the 4th Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, known as 4 LANCS, which is the regiment’s Army Reserve battalion located across the North West of England.
*4 LANCS are currently recruiting across the North West. Go to apply.army.mod.uk and select ‘How to Join’ and ‘Start your application today.’ Or see The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment on Facebook.
*Any Cumbrian business or organisation wanting to find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant can contact Chris Ashworth on 07816 602591 or [email protected]
