Asda reaffirms commitment to UK armed forces

The Asda supermarket company has reaffirmed its support for the UK’s military personnel after again signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

The supermarket, which first signed the covenant back in 2014, will continue to guarantee interviews for ex-servicemen and women who meet the minimum criteria for a role, provide leave for reservists’ training, support cadet training as well as supporting employment opportunities for service spouses and partners.

Asda has already hired over 1,000 new colleagues from the armed forces service leaver community this year and signed the covenant at its High Wycombe store. Air Marshall Sir Richard Knighton, Deputy Commander Capability, Royal Air Force signed on behalf of the Armed Forces, while Helen Selby, General Counsel & Company Secretary and former veteran, signed on behalf of Asda.

Sir Rich Knighton said: “Asda recognises the valuable skills and qualities of ex-Serving military personnel that are easily transferable to many sectors, including that of retail. Offering a wide-range of opportunities, whether IT and technology or logistics and planning, Asda’s re-signing of the Military Covenant highlights their continued commitment to supporting those Veterans and Reservists that have served our nation.”

Helen Selby, said: “Veterans bring a host of unique skills and experience that are vitally important to businesses such as ours. We are proud to continue our support for armed forces and help ex-personnel back into work and civilian life.”

The announcement comes a few weeks after Veterans into Logistics received a funding boost of £40,000 from Asda, that will enable the charity to train 10 armed forces veterans into new careers as HGV Drivers.

The charity has a two-year established partnership with Asda Logistics Services who support their mission of preventing homelessness and unemployment in the veteran community.

This significant donation from Asda will help to provide training and mentoring for the veterans to pass their HGV licences, resulting in new driving careers.

Asda was recently recognised for its efforts to employ former armed forces personnel when it was once again given the silver award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

The supermarket also hosted a veteran Employment & Networking event in early November which saw over 100 attendees from the service leaver community and local businesses in Leeds.