In conversation: Jaguar Land Rover on working hand in hand with Armed Forces

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), who are patrons of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, have a rich history of working hand in hand with the Armed Forces community.

In this blog, co-chair of JLR's Armed Forces Community Network (voluntary position) and on-board tester product owner, Steve Chessell (pictured) writes about JLR’s involvement with the Armed Forces and answers some key questions regarding Armed Forces Week.

We first signed the Armed Forces Covenant in July 2014, pledging to treat those who serve, or have served, and their families with fairness and respect; and to guarantee that they will not be in any way disadvantaged within our business as a consequence of their service. 

In March 2021, we re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant, with updated pledges to reinforce Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community. 

Our ultimate ambition is to be the employer of choice for those leaving the military and we are working hard to realise this goal. And since 2014, over 1,500 veterans have been employed by Jaguar Land Rover, globally.  

As well as welcoming direct employment applications from members of the Armed Forces, JLR have also created innovative placements and training, designed to provide insight and support for careers beyond the military.

We work with a wide range of partners, including Defence Relationship Management (DRM), the Regional Forces & Cadet Associations (RFCAs), the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), the Gold Award Association (GAA), to support wider Armed Forces engagement and employment of service leavers and veterans.

In March 2019, we became a founding member of the Mission Automotive initiative.  This is a Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) initiative, delivered by Mission Motorsport, The Forces’ Motorsport Charity supported by the Ministry of Defence. The Mission Automotive initiative provides vocational support to members of the Armed Forces Community, to pursue careers in the automotive industry.

What are the events happening at JLR to celebrate Armed Forces Week?

JLR has been displaying Armed Forces Week flags on many of its sites and will be welcoming reservists to wear uniform to work on Wednesday, 26 June where appropriate. The big celebration for our service community will actually be the Armed Forces Community Network (AFCN) Annual Conference that is taking place on Wednesday, 3 July.

We have also been doing a great deal of fund raising for various military and automotive charities across the whole year and have proudly raised well over £25,000.

Are there any initiatives JLR is taking for Armed Forces Week?

We have brought together a great line up of interesting guest and internal speakers to engage with our audience and promote some brilliant initiatives.

Artist and veteran Kevin Wills is joining us to talk about his career and the incredible feat of painting every person killed in action during Op Herrick.

Jon-Allan Butterworth MBE will also be joining us to talk through his story from service in the RAF and losing an arm in Iraq, to representing GB in the Paralympics and overcoming battles against many challenges.

JLR has also backed its service community by providing the resources and facilities to enter a race team into this year's Race Of Remembrance and that will be launched during our conference.

What are your tips for recruiting, hiring, and retaining veteran employees?

It has to be authentic, personal and delivered as a combination of professional recruiters with a veteran face at the events.

We have a very successful recruitment strategy for attracting and nurturing veterans into careers at JLR, then supporting them through the first months to help the transition.

Our close relationships with key forces recruitment services and the actual military helps us build our brand and drive those leaving the military to want that engagement with JLR.

What strategies can businesses in Greater Birmingham use in recruiting military talent?

Learn and share best practice with the companies that do it well and then commit to it.

Use the experience of your own veterans, reservists and service family members to create an environment that supports those with military backgrounds and seek professional guidance from DRM and other expert military bodies.

How do you support the mental health and wellbeing in the Armed Forces community?

JLR has invested a huge amount into the general subject of mental wellbeing and our service population benefit from that baseline of care and signposting too. The AFCN have encouraged mental first aid training to its members and we support each other where appropriate through difficult times.