QA has been included in a definitive ranking of the top 50 employers of veterans in the UK by the prestigious GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme, a comprehensive guide to the leading companies supporting the Armed Forces community.
Enriched by the experience of serving their country and equipped with skills and values that employers in other sectors crave, the 15,000-plus people who leave the British Armed Forces each year form a unique and highly capable talent pool. But an awareness gap and a lack of visible role models have presented barriers to service leavers hitting the ground running, while depriving companies of a superb way to fill their skills gaps.
High-profile initiatives to promote the veteran talent pool in recent years, such as the Ex-Forces in Business Awards, have improved how employers perceive ex-forces candidates, helping to replace the media-led ‘mad, bad or sad’ narrative with a more accurate portrayal of veterans and the exceptional value they offer after their service.
Such efforts have encouraged many more employers to embrace talent from the Armed Forces community. But while the significant growth in dedicated UK employment programmes and pathways for the Armed Forces community is hugely welcomed, it can be challenging and confusing to identify, navigate and access the opportunities available.
This is what inspired the formation of the GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme, first launched last year by the organisers of the Ex-Forces in Business Awards, to provide a comprehensive guide to the leading companies in which military veterans and other members of the Armed Forces family can build a meaningful career.
The inaugural book proved hugely popular with thousands of downloads. And after feedback highlighted a strong interest in a definitive listing of the very best Forces Friendly organisations, for the 2024 programme a Judging panel of 20 successful veterans in business was compiled to assess the entries and rank the top 50 employers.
The 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans are published in the 2024 edition of the book today, with QA being successfully ranked in 26th place among the leading employers for the UK Armed Forces community.
The book is not only a valuable resource for veterans seeking their next career move but also employers looking to benchmark their own offerings to the Armed Forces community.
Chris Parker MBE, British Army veteran, Director at Fortinet UK and judge for the GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme, said: "The GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme is a wonderful way to recognise and thank the leading organisations who support members of the Armed Forces community working in the UK.”
Ben Rossi, founder of the Ex-Forces in Business Awards and the GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme, said: “The UK is one of the global leaders when it comes to offering dedicated pathways, programmes and other opportunities for veterans and the wider Armed Forces family seeking a high-value career. But navigating this landscape, understanding exactly what companies offer to the Armed Forces community and deciphering what is the right direction for you can be complicated and confusing.
“The GREAT British Employers of Veterans cuts through the noise by producing a simple but comprehensive guide to the companies when members of the Armed Forces community are valued and really thrive. The top 50 employers listed in this year’s book are really the cream of the crop when it comes to Forces Friendly employers in the UK and they thoroughly deserve this recognition for what they do for the Armed Forces community.”