G4S, the multi-national security contractor, has committed to provide at least 600 staff as members of the military reserve from 2017. That will make the firm one of the UK’s leading employers of armed forces reservists.
At a ceremony at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) hosted by the Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon MP; the Group CEO of G4S, Ashley Almanza; and General Sir Peter Wall, Chief of the General Staff, signed the G4S Armed Services Covenant.
Under the terms, G4S has also pledged to give flexible working conditions for members of staff which will allow them to continue their training and be deployed on exercise when needed by the MoD.
Ashley Almanza, G4S CEO said: “We are very proud to play our part in supporting Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and we are committed to being the leading employer of Armed Forces Reservists in the country, in support of the Government’s new strategy for introducing additional reserve forces. We already employ large numbers of former service personnel and today’s commitment through the Armed Forces Covenant reinforces the very close relationship that G4S has with the UK Armed Forces.”
The Covenant also confirms the security company’s commitment to support the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). That’s the UK-based resettlement service which aims to provide civilian employment for ex-forces people. G4S will guarantee interviews for ex-forces personnel for appropriate vacancies.
Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall, said: “The pledge made today by G4S to recruit a further 600 reservists is an immensely supportive step towards the Armed Forces and employers working together to achieve the numbers we need. This commitment illustrates recognition of the valuable experience and skills that reservists bring to an employer, particularly one as large as G4S. We look forward to working closely with G4S in achieving this target, and to learning from them how to optimise the relationships between reserve soldiers, G4S as their employer, and the Army.
“It is incredibly encouraging that employers like G4S are seeing reserve service as an asset in their employees and that their employment is mutually beneficial to both Defence and the company. We recognise that we cannot grow our Reserve Forces alone and we need to work in partnership with big businesses such as G4S and support them so that they in turn can support our Reserves.”
Michael Fallon said, “It is right that everyone, including businesses, recognises the tremendous contribution and sacrifice that our Armed Forces and their families make for our country. Many firms already back our Armed Forces and I want to help them improve what they offer and to encourage others to provide similar support. So I am pleased to see G4S taking the opportunity to formally support our Armed Forces Community and to make a real difference to their lives by signing the Corporate Covenant.”
About G4S
G4S is active in more than 120 countries, and is the largest employer quoted on the London Stock Exchange with more than 618,000 employees and has a secondary stock exchange listing in Copenhagen. Visit www.g4s.com.
