HVM Catapult signs Armed Forces Covenant

The High Value Manufacturing Catapult has signed the Armed Forces Covenant with CEO, Katherine Bennett CBE highlighting the ‘unique skills and life experiences’ of service personnel.

The covenant was signed at the Manufacturing Technology Centre during an event featuring inspiring keynote speakers with first hand experience of what it is like to leave the service and step into the unknown of civilian life. The event was attended by industry leaders and members of 30th Signal Regiment.

The core principles of the covenant are that members of the armed forces community do not suffer disadvantages as a result of their service and that they receive special treatment where appropriate.

Signing the covenant alongside Lt Col Richard Pelan, Commanding Officer of 159 Royal Logistics Corps, Katherine Bennett CBE, HVM Catapult CEO, said:

We are very proud and honoured to be signing the Armed Forces Covenant, demonstrating our commitment to supporting the armed forces community, including serving personnel, reservists and veterans.

The armed forces give people unique skills and life experiences that are beneficial to their careers both during their time in the services and beyond. Service personnel have vast amounts of experience in problem solving, adopting new technology and working under extreme pressure. We recognise and value these experiences and that’s why my organisation wanted to show our support and do our bit.

Over 13,000 UK organisations have now signed the covenant. It states that:

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether regular or reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.