Member Spotlight: North of England Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (NE RFCA)
Date published:
Where are you based?
Durham – 53 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3JJ
How many people do you employ?
28
Give us a brief overview of your business.
The North of England Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association is an ‘arm’s length body’ of the Ministry of Defence, established by Act of Parliament and charged with giving advice and assistance to the Defence Council and to the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force on matters that concern Reserves and Cadets in the North of England.
Our local footprint and standing means that we are ideally situated to promote both the Armed Forces and the regional Cadet movements. One way of doing this is by organising, supporting and publicising events that bring the military and civilian populations together; additionally, by promoting the Armed Forces Covenant, the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Awards, our regional Reserve opportunities, the ‘cadet experience’, and the built Estate in which they work, all help with local awareness and fosters a greater understanding of our Armed Forces community.
Tell us about a recent business success.
The 2022 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Awards has seen an unprecedented number of North East Employer organisations apply for national recognition. The North of England Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association’s Engagement team have worked with 20 businesses who have applied for the Silver award and we have supported 11 organisations with their applications to Defence for the prestigious Gold Award. In November last year 6 North East organisations received their Gold award from Major General Swift, Chief of Defence Personnel, at a private presentation ceremony in Edinburgh Castle; this year the Gold awardees will be hosted at the Royal Gun Salute to celebrate the Prince of Wales’s birthday on 14 November in York.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme encourages employers to support Defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
Included in the list of North East Silver Award winners for 2021 are the North East of England Chamber of Commerce. Tom Warnock, Senior Relationship Manager – President’s Club said “The Employer Recognition Scheme is important to our Chamber as a demonstration to both veterans and reservists of the high value we place on their transferable skills, in turn it has been a great benefit our business. I am absolutely delighted that we received the Silver Award and we would encourage other businesses to find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant and the Awards”.
Why are you a Chamber Member?
The Chamber enables us, as the Engagement team within the North of England Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, to significantly improved our regional visibility. It provides us with direct networking links and connections to organisations and people who can make a difference to Defence and the Armed Forces community across the North East of England and allowed us to establish business relationships with key influences.
We are extremely proud to the working with the Chamber and will look towards other members to publicly pledge their support for our Armed Forces community via the Covenant.
To find out more about NE RFCA visit their website.
Photo by Ragsdale Photography.
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