Member Article

Gentoo pledges support in Corporate Covenant

Gentoo Group has created its own Corporate Covenant in another step towards improving services for returning service personnel.

A Corporate Covenant is a voluntary pledge from businesses and charitable organisations who wish to demonstrate their continued commitment and support for the Armed Forces Community.

By developing its own Corporate Covenant, Gentoo has agreed to a core statement of commitment whilst also announcing a number of initiatives unique to the Group.

Gentoo is leading on a national Armed Forces Housing Pledge, encouraging housing providers to recognise the commitment of returning service personnel and veterans and treat them accordingly. As part of this, housing providers commit to developing personal support packages to complement the housing offer and to actively engage in partnerships for the benefit of returning service personnel and veterans.

In another new initiative, Gentoo employees who have served in the Armed Forces, have family who are serving or who are or have been a Reservist, are invited to join the Gentoo Armed Forces Veterans Group. The group members act as Armed Forces Champions, providing peer support and offering advice and assistance to customers and staff. The Group will also work closely with partner organisations and through the work of a Business Connector, will help local businesses support this agenda in the North East.

Gentoo’s Corporate Covenant pledge represents an ongoing support for the Armed Forces as part of chief executive, Peter Walls’ role as HRH Prince of Wales’ Ambassador for Responsible Business in the North East. As part of this responsibility, Peter announced his prioritisation of activity to improve services for returning service personnel.

Peter said: “I am more determined than ever to improve services for the Armed Forces community. Across the circuit of agencies who deal with Returning Service Personnel, people are highlighting a number of issues regarding support for our Armed Forces.

“In recognising the commitment of our Armed Forces we need to appreciate not only those who have lost their lives in conflict but also those who return to us. We need to work together to ensure that the people who are our heroes are treated as such.

“Our Corporate Covenant sets out our main aims and objectives and signifies our ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces and I am delighted to be championing a consistent Housing Offer for Returning Service Personnel in the form of the Housing Pledge.”

Gentoo Group are current signatories of Sunderland’s Community Covenant and also hold Bronze Award status from the Employer Recognition Scheme.

Deputy Commander, 4th Infantry Brigade, Mike Butterwick said: “I am delighted by Gentoo’s commitments to our servicemen and women. Transition from service life back into the community is a daunting prospect for many of our people.

“Gentoo has been fantastic in understanding those challenges and also recognising that our people bring with them a vast array of skills, technical knowledge and a determined, values based work ethic. I am really looking forward to working with Gentoo as we attempt to ensure those who have given so much are properly supported both during their service and beyond.”

If you would like to find out more about Gentoo’s Housing Pledge or any other Gentoo Armed Forces activity contact Elaine Murray on 0191 525 5000 or email elaine.murray@gentoogroup.com.

Gentoo Group’s whole ethos is about believing nothing is impossible and finding new ways to challenge conventions, Gentoo aims to make society a better place to live and to make a real difference to the way people live their life. To find out more about Gentoo, visit gentoogroup.com for more information or follow @gentoogroup on Twitter.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emily Morris .