Chamber of Commerce continues programme to promote service people to businesses

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce has announced it will continue a national programme of support for the Armed Forces Covenant thanks to additional funding.

With the full backing of the British Chambers of Commerce and Chambers of Commerce across England and Wales, the Chamber Military Network, initially set up in 2019, helps to improve the knowledge and understanding within organisations of the Covenant.

It also helps organisations to understand the business benefits of recruiting from the Armed Forces Community, through the development of marketing support packages, mentoring and engagement opportunities on a national scale.

Today’s announcement comes after Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) awarded the Chamber further funding of £129K to deliver the package of support that provides all Chambers of Commerce across England and Wales with the tools, knowledge and understanding to effectively promote the value of the Armed Forces Covenant to business.

Working with the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Relationship Management (DRM), the Black Country Chamber of Commerce team will continue to work as the lead Chamber within the British Chambers, supporting their business members, and the wider Armed Forces Community.

As evidenced in earlier work, this will encourage a proactive approach to carrying out Covenant pledge commitments, increase the profile of the Armed Forces Community in business and connect military-owned businesses with commercial opportunities.

Thomas McBarnet, director of programmes at Forces in Mind Trust, said: “It’s great to see the Chamber Military Network build on the progress made in the first stage. Employer engagement is a key activity in our Employment Programme.

“We strive to enable all ex-Service personnel and their partners to achieve successful employment outcomes upon leaving the Armed Forces.

“The Chamber Military Network has been instrumental in establishing a programme of encouraging all 53 UK Chambers of Commerce to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and seek membership of the DRM Employer Recognition Scheme.

Thomas continued: “We hope this additional funding will stimulate further progress in Chambers signing and promoting the Covenant amongst their membership.”

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