Companies House is a place where veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and their families are not just welcomed, but deeply valued and recognised for their courage, commitment, and the unique strengths they bring to our organisation.
On 23 June, at the Senedd in Cardiff, we proudly reached a landmark moment. We signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and reaffirmed our pledge to stand beside those who serve, have served, and the families who support them.
The Armed Forces CovenantThe Armed Forces Covenant is a commitment to support current and former members of the armed forces and their families. By signing, we’re agreeing to a set of principles - that people who serve or have served should face no disadvantage in accessing our services or working for us.
For an organisation like Companies House, a government agency that employs people right across the UK, this matters. We want to attract and retain talented people from all walks of life, and the armed forces community has skills and experience that we value enormously.
Employer Recognition SchemeAlongside signing the covenant, we have achieved Bronze level of the Ministry of Defence's Employer Recognition Scheme. This recognises that we have taken concrete steps to support the armed forces community in our workforce. These steps include flexible working policies that accommodate reservists and making sure our recruitment processes do not disadvantage veterans.
Bronze level is the beginning, not the end. We're committed to building on this foundation and working towards Silver and Gold recognition in the years ahead.
Launching our Armed Forces NetworkOne of the things I'm most excited about is the launch of our new Companies House Armed Forces Network.
The network will be a space for colleagues who are veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers or those who have a family connection to the armed forces to come together, share experiences, and support one another.
The network will also be a resource for the wider organisation, helping us understand how to be a better employer and making sure the commitments we're making today are lived out in practice.
What this meansSigning the Covenant is an important step, but what matters most is how we bring it to life every day. Our commitment is reflected in the actions we take and the environment we create.
We will make sure our recruitment processes are fair and accessible for anyone leaving regular service, as well as veterans and reservists. We will offer flexible working arrangements to support reservists and cadet force adult volunteers in balancing their roles and training commitments. We will recognise and value the skills gained through military service.
We will continue to listen - through the Armed Forces Network and beyond - to identify opportunities to strengthen our support.
An open invitationIf you're a veteran, a reservist, cadet force adult volunteer or someone with a connection to the armed forces who is thinking about a career in the Civil Service, I hope this gives you a reason to consider Companies House.
We’re a modern, inclusive employer with offices in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast. Our work is vital. We maintain the register of UK companies and make that information accessible to the public. We take seriously our responsibility to reflect the diversity of the country we serve. Through this, we play our part in supporting a whole-of-society approach to defence and strengthening national resilience.
Find out more about what it’s like to work at Companies House.
seen at 14:54, 2 July in Companies House.