Nine universities of the East Midlands celebrated the updating of their Armed Forces Covenants in a joint ceremony held at the University of Leicester recently.

The revised agreements include new, clear-cut promises to support Armed Forces personnel.

The event also marked the achievement of 500 Armed Forces Covenant signatories in the region by East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (East Midlands RFCA).

The ceremony was attended by Chief of Defence People (CDP), Lieutenant General Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE, who commented: “I am delighted to see these institutions from the East Midlands higher education sector reaffirming their Armed Forces Covenant commitments.  In particular, the commitment to encourage students to become Reservists, and paid leave for existing Reservists to undertake their annual training commitments is very welcome. It sets a potent example for peer organisations in the education sector.”

The universities are uniquely placed to support the education and training of the Armed Forces community. As a group, the universities have committed to collaborate in research to the benefit of the Armed Forces community in areas such as social care, sports science and the justice system.

They will also consider how they can improve and help with access to higher education for service leavers, Reserves and military families.

Some further pledges include appointing an Armed Forces Champion and registering with the Career Transition Partnership to establish a specific pathway to employment for service leavers.  They also plan to provide work placement opportunities and support the accreditation of military training.

The support will extend to helping service spouses and partners to find jobs, through initiatives such as registering with the Forces Families Jobs employment platform.

There are also currently over 250 Officer Cadet Students in the Officer Training Corps across the East Midlands universities, and this will continue to be supported.

The ceremony was particularly significant to the University of Leicester, as it was founded as a living memorial to those who made sacrifices in the First World War. The University celebrates its centenary in 2021.

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice Chancellor, University of Leicester, said: “I am proud to re-sign the Armed Forces Covenant. It is appropriate that the signing ceremony took place in our Fielding Johnson Building which served as a military hospital during the Great War.  The University of Leicester was founded as a living memorial to the sacrifices of local people during that conflict. Our commitment to all those who serve, or have served, in the Armed Forces is part of that legacy.”

John Wilson OBE DL, Director of Employer Engagement at East Midlands RFCA, added: “We are thrilled to have this significant group re-signing take place. It demonstrates the friendly and supportive dialogue between all the East Midlands universities.”

“The Armed Forces Covenant is there to ensure that Armed Forces personnel are not disadvantaged by the commitment they make to their defence careers.  Respected bodies like these universities can lead by example and best practice.”

Also in attendance were: Katy Nevitt, Armed Forces Champion, Bishop Grosseteste University:  Dr Paula Holt, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Derby: Group Captain (Rtd) Nick Sharpe, Chief Executive, East Midlands RFCA:  Julian Free, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lincoln: Chris Euden, Operations Director, Loughborough University: Dr Simon Oldroyd, (Interim) Deputy Vice Chancellor, De Montfort University: Professor Nick Petford, Vice Chancellor, University of Northampton:  Jamie Tennant, Head of Employment Shared Services, University of Nottingham: and Professor Mark Biggs, Pro Vice Chancellor, Nottingham Trent University.

What is the Armed Forces Covenant?
The Armed Forces Covenant was enshrined legally in the Armed Forces Act 2011 as a promise from the nation that its Armed Forces personnel will be treated fairly.  The Covenant can be signed by any and all UK businesses interested in showing their support for defence personnel. Find more information about the Armed Forces Covenant.