Rolls-Royce achieves Gold Status in Armed Forces Covenant

10 September 2019

Rolls-Royce has been awarded Gold status under the UK Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme.

The UK Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme is the principal way for the UK MoD to recognise businesses for the support they give to the Armed Forces (through charities and events), service leavers and the number of current employees who are veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers (CFAV) or service spouses.

In their response to our submission, the MOD welcomed many of our initiatives and were particularly impressed by our HR policies which fully support reservists to train and go on operations. Our visible support to Armed Forces Day was noted in addition to our engagement with defence charities either for the health and wellbeing of former service men and women or supporting ex-service personnel start a second career in the private sector.

Reflecting on the announcement Senior Vice President UK Business Development, for our Defence business Dave Gordon said; “Supporting our serving and former armed forces is of the upmost importance to us – not simply just as a provider of military equipment but also as a British employer recognising the value and self-less contribution our armed forces give to our national security and prosperity.

I am delighted that our commitment to serving personnel, our current Rolls-Royce employees (whether they are veterans, reservists or cadet force volunteers) and their families has been recognised by the Ministry of Defence and that we have been awarded Gold in the UK Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme."

Rolls-Royce now joins a small alumni group of around 100 Gold Award companies nationwide who will work closely with the MOD to promote the Armed Forces Covenant, champion Armed Forces engagement with employers, share best practice and provide an informed and influential stakeholder group will listen, review and provide feedback on new initiatives.

The award, which is for 5 years, will be presented by a member of the Royal family at a formal reception in November. Rolls-Royce will be in attendance.

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting-edge technologies that deliver clean, safe and competitive solutions to meet our planet’s vital power needs.

Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.

Annual underlying revenue was £15 billion in 2018, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services.

In 2018, Rolls-Royce invested £1.4 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 29 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.

The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.