Chris Sinclair, an electrician on Serco’s London Cycle Hire contract and an Army reservist, last night collected a prestigious Gold Award on behalf of Serco from Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon for the company’s outstanding commitment to support the UK Armed Forces.
Chris, accompanied by Serco Group Chief Executive Officer Rupert Soames, later met Prime Minister David Cameron during an evening of Armed Forces Covenant events at No.10 Downing Street.
Serco is one of only 15 employers to receive a Gold Award as part of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The ERS was launched by the Prime Minister in 2014 to recognise businesses that are exemplary supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant and proactively support the Armed Forces community, both internally to employees and externally to the wider community.
This year’s Gold Awards focussed on commitment to employ reservists, veterans and Forces family members.
Serco - one of the first signatories to the Corporate Covenant in October 2013 - currently employs around 2,500 veterans and over 125 reservists, sponsored reservists and adult cadet instructors across its UK business.
Chris Sinclair, from Wandsworth in London, has worked at Serco for four years as part of the company’s London Cycle Hire contract with Transport for London. He joined the Reserves in 2010 and has spent the last six years as an Army Chef with The London Regiment, the only Army Reserve Regiment in the Guards Division.
Chris said: “It’s an honour to collect this award for Serco and represent my fellow reservists across the business. Becoming a reservist is the best decision I have ever made in my life. I have gained so many qualifications and experience which I can use back in my civilian life and in my job every day. Serco has been very supportive to my outside commitments.”
Read moreSerco CEO, Rupert Soames added: “Serco has a long and proud history of providing critical defence support services to the Armed Forces, both in the UK and overseas. We are grateful for the vital role the Armed Forces play in keeping our nation safe and the positive contribution former servicemen and women, as well as reservists like Chris, make to our country and our business. We actively support the Armed Forces community - from providing job opportunities for veterans through to increasing the paid leave allowance for our reservists - and I am proud that our efforts have been recognised through this award.”
Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon commented on the awards: “The support from these organisations is making a real difference to our Armed Forces community. They are ensuring that the men and women who have done, and continue to do, so much for our nation are treated fairly. Whether allowing reservists the time to train, providing jobs or supporting veterans and spouses, these companies embody what the Armed Forces Covenant is about. I am delighted to thank them for their unwavering support."
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