Welcome to the WM RFCA Newsletter
December 2024
On 23rd October 2024 we presented fifteen organisations with their Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, recognising their exceptional level of support to the Armed Forces community.
Held at Lilleshall House and Gardens in Shropshire – home to one of the UK’s National Sports Centres and the Royal British Legion’s Battle Back Centre – the awards were presented by Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris CBE MA BEng (Hons) CEng MIET, Director Support and Chief Engineer RAF, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
The recipients were:
- Allsports Coaches Coaching Academy CIC
- Career Pursuit CIC
- Carwood Motor Units Limited
- Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust
- Leominster Town Council
- Marston’s PLC
- NP Aerospace Limited
- Risk Evolves Ltd
- Staffordshire Police
- Summit Learning Trust
- Telent Technology Services Limited
- Unmanned Air Veterans Ltd
- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
- Worcestershire County Council
Awards revalidated for five more years
We would like to thank, and congratulate, 10 organisations who have had their Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Awards revalidated for a further five years, highlighting their sustained consistency at that level.
For ERS Silver - Keele University and Tile Cross Academy.
For ERS Gold - Auctus Management Group, HCR Law, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, Warwickshire Police, West Mercia Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service.
New CEO at Shropshire Army Cadet Force
Major Andrew Lloyd-Butler has taken over as the new Cadet Executive Officer (CEO) at Shropshire Army Cadet Force (ACF). Major Lloyd-Butler brings with him a remarkable depth of experience, dedication, and leadership from his distinguished 38-year military career. A native of Oswestry, he began his journey with the Army Cadet Force as a young cadet in the Oswestry Light Infantry ACF, and has now come full circle to give back to the organisation that first inspired him.
Major Lloyd-Butler takes over from Major (Ret’d) Joe Coleman, who served as CEO of Shropshire ACF with distinction for 15 years after transitioning from a full career in the British Army. Major Coleman, who took on the role in October 2009, leaves behind a legacy of commitment and service that has greatly impacted the Shropshire ACF community.
Council of RFCA Conference
The 2024 RFCA Conference, held at Lancaster House, united senior Defence leaders and representatives from all 13 RFCAs to discuss the vital contributions of Reserves and Cadets. Keynote speeches from the Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns, and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, General Dame Sharon Nesmith, highlighted the importance of integration, community engagement, and adaptability in modern Defence.
“Reserves and cadets are the beating heart of our defence capabilities, offering unparalleled skills and serving as a bridge between the military and the communities they protect. Their commitment ensures that defence is not only ready for today’s challenges but also resilient for the future.”
Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns.
Reserve Centre improvements makes Remembrance Day event possible
With 225 Field Squadron, Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers Reservists' due to return from a training exercise and also take part in Oldbury’s Remembrance Sunday Parade on the same day, a cooked breakfast and a curry lunch at their Oldbury Army Reserve Centre was on the itinerary to keep the soldiers fed. However, new food hygiene legislation threatened to halt their catering plans due to insufficient kitchen capacity.
My life as an Army Reservist
Asking people why they joined the Reserve Forces always brings up different answers and motivations. Annabel Pushman, a Reservist with 214 (Worcestershire) Battery 104 Regiment Royal Artillery, shares her perspective about what it’s like to be an Army Reservist...
“But, why?” Is often the reaction I receive when explaining to people what I have done with my weekend. Usually because it has consisted of hiding out in a wood in the middle of South Wales, trekking across hills carrying a bag near to my bodyweight, or sitting in a classroom learning about radio communications.
Shropshire Army Cadet Force Trust officially launched
Shropshire Army Cadet Force Trust was officially launched at a special evening event held at RAF Shawbury. The Trust welcomed over 100 people from a variety of areas including local and civic dignitaries, businesses, the military and Shropshire Army Cadet Force, all with one aim in mind: to support Shropshire’s Army Cadets.
The primary function of the Trust is to raise funds to support the Cadets in Shropshire and to finance the equipment not supplied by the Ministry of Defence. The Trust is aiming to achieve this via donations and sponsorship.
Grand opening of new Midlands Boat Station
The Sea Cadets in Birmingham proudly welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, to officially open the new Midlands Boat Station, located on the scenic banks of Edgbaston Reservoir, Birmingham.
The Midlands Boat Station is the new home to Birmingham Vernon Sea Cadets Unit. Designed as a watersports training hub the site will deliver a wide range of boating activities to the 1,500 Sea Cadets across the Midlands. The new centre will also offer opportunities to over 300,000 young people located within 30 minutes of the facility.
Birthday celebrations for Royal Marines Cadets
This year’s 360th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Marines coincided with Redditch & Bromsgrove Sea Cadets & Royal Marine Cadets’ biannual Royal Naval parade.
The South West Area Officer, Commander Gary Mills RN, inspected the ship’s company with their Royal Marines Cadets forming a guard of honour. A brief history of the Royal Marines was delivered by Cadet Sergeant Gabriel to the inspecting officers, dignitaries and family members who joined them for the parade.
To mark the milestone anniversary their Cadets celebrated with a decorative cake bearing the Royal Marines’ Globe & Laurel, which Commander Mills was invited to cut, which formally opened the celebrations.
Breakfast with the Army
In partnership with the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, we invited Coventry-based businesses to join us for a morning of breakfast networking.
Held at Canley Army Reserve Centre the morning explored the benefits of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
Employers go behind the scenes at School of Technical Training
Businesses from Shropshire and Staffordshire were given a special 'behind the scenes' glimpse into the roles and work of two RAF units. Hosted by No. 1 School of Technical Training and No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron, with support from Shropshire Council and our Association, the event showcased the range of engineering, technology and transferable skills on offer to personnel who train at the station.
We had the pleasure of welcoming 11 new organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, congratulations to Beaver Bridges, BeaverFit UK, Community Resource, Culina Group, Matrix Safety Training, McPhillips Wellington Limited, Tanners Wines, The Food Hub, Triangle HR, Carrier Group and Windowright Ltd for pledging their forces-friendly support.
Covenant signings welcomed at Business Breakfast
We were pleased to sponsor a Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chambers of Commerce event at Worcester Army Reserve Centre in November. The event included presentations by Rebecca Kirk from HCR Law, as an ERS Gold holder she spoke about the importance of supporting the Reserves and the benefits to business. Rebecca Pritchard, a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV) with the RAF Air Cadets, spoke about being a CFAV, the difference it makes and how businesses can support their employees who volunteer as a CFAV.
At the event we welcomed five organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, these were: Agricultural Recruitment Specialists Ltd, Menzies Distribution Solutions Ltd, Oakland International Ltd, Thrive International Group and White Logistics and Storage Ltd. We then presented Karndean Designflooring with their ERS Silver Award. Thank you to all for your support.
Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Awards 2025
The Expression of Interest (EOI) window for the 2025 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver and Gold Awards is now open.
If your organisation has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, promotes a forces-friendly ethos and has undertaken other supportive activities, you may be eligible to gain your Silver or Gold Award.
Employers show support for Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day was a poignant day for many across the region with lots of people, organisations and units getting involved. This is just a small snapshot of some of the support shown by our employers across the region.
- BMET held an event with students, Veterans and members of the military. They also reconfirmed their commitment to the Armed Forces community by re-signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
- George Eliot Hospital Trust's Armed Forces Community Network held a Festival of Remembrance in the chapel including the presentation of artwork and a book of Remembrance.
- Kelly Plant Hire recovered one of their vehicles with poignant images and the words 'Lest we forget'.
- MTC held a Remembrance Service.
- Sandwell College created a stunning poppy display at their Central campus and welcomed their learners and guests to be part of a poignant Remembrance Service.
A 'Golden' moment
At our Birmingham Gold Award holders networking event Pertemps Network Group presented a cheque for £1,000 to Stepway to highlight and support the fantastic work that Stepway do with veterans and the veteran community.
The networking event was kindly hosted by AMMO & Company Ltd at their centre in Birmingham (which was also an excellent chance to see the production skills of another Gold Award holder!).
Veterans' Hub launch
We were pleased to sponsor the launch of a new veterans' hub in Birmingham. The idea of the hub came from business owner Oscar, from 2 Much Passion CIC. As a veteran himself he was keen to set up a forum where Commonwealth veterans can meet up and seek relevant support. In a joint venture with the Royal British Legion, the hub will meet at regular intervals over the year at The Chris Bryant Centre / YMCA Heart of England in Erdington. The sessions will aim to provide key speakers to deliver useful resources, and a friendly environment for veterans to share their experiences, socialise, and to ascertain how best to support the veteran community.
Dates for your diary...
14th January 2025 - Networking Brunch and Presentation Event
The event will be held in Kings Heath, Birmingham, from 10:30-12:30 to enjoy brunch and network with likeminded forces-friendly organisations. Hear inspiring presentations from serving Army Reservists and businesses, highlighting the benefit of having a relationship with the Armed Forces.
If you are interested in finding out more please email wm-ee@rfca.mod.uk.
21st January 2025 - Networking Brunch and Presentation Event
The event will be held in West Bromwich from 10:30-12:30 to enjoy brunch and network with likeminded forces-friendly organisations. Hear inspiring presentations from serving Army Reservists and businesses, highlighting the benefit of having a relationship with the Armed Forces.
If you are interested in finding out more please email wm-ee@rfca.mod.uk.
With over 25 Reserve centres available to hire across our six counties we are open and available for new bookings.
You can view our properties at www.alternativevenueswm.co.uk
To contact the Alternative Venues Team please email wm-av@rfca.mod.uk
