At a ceremony at the Ministry of Defence on 17^th December, Philip Dunne MP, the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support & Technology, and Steve Wadey, Executive Group Director Technical and Managing Director of MBDA UK, jointly signed the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant (AFCC) formally committing MBDA to continue supporting the Armed Forces through its business dealings and relationship with the local communities in which it operates. The signing took place at the Ministry of Defence’s headquarters in Whitehall, London.

The AFCC sets out a series of principles and commitments that builds upon the already close relationship MBDA has with the Armed Forces, through its Reservist-friendly business policies, active charity work and direct support to military units.  Foremost is the pledge to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community by recognizing the value serving personnel, regular and reservist, veterans and military families contribute to the UK.

The Minister welcomed this public commitment by MBDA, saying, “The men and women of our Armed Forces and their families represent the very best of society so it is only right that everyone, including all businesses, recognise their tremendous contribution and sacrifice.  As a major contributor to the UK defence sector, it is a particular pleasure to witness MBDA sign the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant which demonstrates the company’s continued support of our Armed Forces.  I hope that many other companies in the defence industry will be encouraged to follow in their footsteps and get behind the Corporate Covenant to support our service personnel in any way they can.”

After the signing, Steve Wadey commented, “When the opportunity to sign the AFCC arose, it was instinctive for MBDA to want to show its long-standing commitment and support for the Armed Forces. As one of the country’s leading defence suppliers and an employer of both reservists and ex-members of the Armed Forces, we want to show the regard and respect all of us at MBDA have for service personnel, their families and the responsibilities they shoulder. Signing the AFCC today is a public declaration of our support and I am glad that we have had the opportunity to do so alongside the Minister.”

Notes to editors

MBDA UK recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by:

• promoting the fact that we are an armed forces-friendly organisation;
• seeking to support the employment of veterans young and old;
• striving to support the employment of Service spouses and partners;
• endeavouring to offer a degree of flexibility in granting  leave for Service spouses and partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment;
• seeking to support our employees who choose to be members of the Reserve forces, including by accommodating their training and deployment where possible;
• offering support to our local cadet units, either in our local community or in local schools, where possible;
• aiming to actively participate in Armed Forces Day;
• support Service-organised family events where possible;
• support Service charities.