PARTNERING WITH DEFENCE CONFERENCE 2017

Defence Relationship Management (DRM) hosted their third annual Partnering with Defence Conference on Tuesday 14th March, bringing together employers that have pledged their support to the Armed Forces and MOD representatives.

The Partnering with Defence conference, at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster, featured four focussed seminar sessions, as well as an evening drinks reception and was attended by the Secretary of State for Defence Sir Michael Fallon.

During the first seminar on Small Businesses, delegates found out about initiatives that are specifically aimed at Sunbject Matter Experts (SMEs). The Mutual Benefits of the Armed Forces Covenant seminar provided an update on the key activities and future direction of the Armed Forces Covenant and discussed what more Defence can do to strengthen their relationship with employers. Organisations with established military networks shared best practice and discussed the benefits this initiative has had to their business in the Military Networks seminar. And in Going for Gold, delegates heard from members of the newly established Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Alumni.

Throughout the day, delegates also heard proactive examples of best practice among a number of organisations, including Emily Hewitt of Waves Training Solutions, who discussed the benefits of partnering with Defence with SMEs. Waves has been awarded gold by the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), with the business strongly advocating the value of military skills in the workplace.

Other key speakers included, Malcolm Warr, from the Federation of Small businesses, who discussed the challenges of partnering with Defence and Major General Bob Bruce, who is currently on a six month placement with the Royal Bank of Scotland before heading the Army Personnel Centre in Glasgow.