Chief Disruptor re-signs the AFC
On 25 January 2023, Chief Disruptor held the British Army Digital Transformation Conference at the Cavalry and Guards Club. The conference, attended by Chief Disruptor members, the British Army, as well as technology leaders from across Defence, focused on the Army’s Digital Transformation Programme (Programme THEIA).
The full-day conference included:
- Workshops on emerging technology trends within defence including cloud, recruitment and retention, data accessibility and ownership and cybersecurity.
- Discussions shaping the Army’s approaches and solving cross-industry problems.
- The latest updates and insights on Programme THEIA, the Land CEMA programme, and the Defence context.
Many thanks to all the speakers, facilitators, table hosts and scribes from across the Army and particular mention to our keynote speakers who included:
- Major General John Collyer, Director Information and CIO, British Army
- Colonel Toby Courage, Programme Director, Land CEMA Programme, British Army
- Brigadier Stefan Crossfield, Head of IX, CDO, Principal AI Officer, British Army
- Charlie Forte, CIO, Ministry of Defence
During the conference, Emma Taylor, Founder and Managing Director of Chief Disruptor re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant with Ministry of Defence representative and Chief Disruptor Members’ Advisory Board member Lieutenant General Tom Copinger-Symes CBE.
RSA Insurance makes a commitment towards the Armed Forces
RSA is pleased to become a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.
The signing also marks the launch of an RSA Armed Forces Employee Resource Group (ERG), co-chaired by Ian Dawes, who currently serves as an Army Reservist Lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Signals, and Victoria Bauling, a military veteran who served six years in the Army Intelligence Corps as both a Regular and Reservist. The RSA Armed Forces ERG is an open group for all those affiliated with the Armed Forces and for those interested in the impact and challenges this community can sometimes face. It will lead in internal policy development and guidance, shaping recruitment practices, and championing the causes and needs of Armed Forces affiliated colleagues.
The RSA Armed Forces ERG will drive the fulfilment of pledges RSA has made in signing the Covenant and encourage members and allies of the military community to come forward and join the ERG.
Ian Dawes, Co-chair RSA Armed Forces ERG, Army Reservist Lieutenant, and Project Manager at RSA said:
“We’re delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which acts as an important conduit between the civilian and military spheres. It marks a significant milestone in our understanding of this extended community and recognises the extraordinary contribution of those involved in military duty.
“By signing the Covenant, we’re proving our commitment to support the Armed Forces community, ensuring we have the right people in place to create ongoing guidance and policy for families, partners, veterans, and those serving. I’m proud RSA is a military friendly employer, with a supportive and enabling environment for the armed forces community.”
Peter Germain, Chief Executive at Greater London Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, said:
“When an organisation commits to signing the Armed Forces Covenant it speaks volumes about the value they attach to the skills, experience and character that members of the armed forces community can bring to their organisation.”
Watkin Jones signs Armed Forces Covenant as veterans employment scheme launched
Former servicemen and women who work at Watkin Jones and representatives from across the business joined Chief Executive (Watkin Jones) Richard Simpson, who is a former army officer, and the Ministry of Defence’s representative Lt. Col. Keith Gregory, Commanding Officer 106th Regiment Royal Artillery, to witness the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant.
Alongside the signing of the covenant pledge, they launched VETS – Veteran Education and Training Scheme – to recruit, train and support ex-service personnel. Jackie Kelly, HR Director is working with a specialist organisation First Military Recruitment to identify the first group of people to join and there has already been a lot of interest.
In the first year the pilot of VETS will give ten service leavers a twelve-month contract in roles such as assistant site managers, but importantly alongside this there will be mentors and other support to ensure successful transitions. Once shown that the model works, Watkin Jones group expect to scale it up and apply it to other areas of their recruitment.
