[I]n this week of Remembrance activities a local organisation has demonstrated its support for the armed forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
By signing the agreement International Nuclear Services (INS), which has bases in West Cumbria and Barrow, has pledged that armed forces personnel, veterans, reservists and their families will be treated fairly by the company.
Lieutenant Colonel Steven Wotherspoon, Regional Employer Engagement Director for Ministry of Defence in North West England, visited INS’s office in Warrington this week to discuss the Covenant, and present INS with a Bronze Award under the government’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
The scheme recognises commitment and support from UK employers for current and former defence personnel. Awards are given to employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the Armed Forces community.
INS is a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. They are the world’s leading global shipper of nuclear materials and employs around 180 people in West Cumbria, Warrington, and at their marine terminal in Barrow in Furness.
INS employs a number of former service personnel and is an advocate of reservist schemes where they are supportive of allowing employees to take leave for training and deployment. The organisation also plays an active role in communities and has a longstanding relationship with the Barrow Sea Cadets near their marine terminal in Barrow in Furness.
Receiving the award from Lt Colonel Wotherspoon, INS Managing Director Seth Kybird, said: “We’re delighted to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and strengthen our support for current and former service personnel. We employ a number of reservists and former service personnel and it has been amazing to see just how far those skills transfer into the business environment. It really is a win-win situation.”
Ben Goodwill joined INS as part of the nuclear graduates scheme and now works in the organisation’s busy commercial team. Ben has been training to become an Officer in the British Army Reserve and recently passed his final assessment and became a 2nd Lieutenant.
Ben said: “I’m grateful for the support INS has given me throughout my British Army Reserve Officer Training. In the week that we remember the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces, past and present, it makes me proud to work for an organisation that supports defence and the military community.”
