Member Article

Sovini Group achieve Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

The Sovini Group, based in Sefton, has been recognised for its commitment to the Armed Forces community.

The Sovini Group has been awarded the Bronze Corporate Covenant in recognition for their support of the Forces community, which has included job opportunities for local veterans.

The Sovini Group work in close partnership with the Sefton Veterans Project and other organisations, providing ex-service personnel with housing, training and employment opportunities and taking part in projects such as the BBC DIY SOS Veterans Special.

Sovini employ a number of Veterans and support opportunities for Reservists.

In 2014 One Vision Housing, part of the Sovini Group, signed the Sefton Council Armed Forces Community Covenant, which sets out the relationship between the nation, the government and the armed forces.

The aim of the Corporate Covenant is to ensure that the Armed Forces Community face no disadvantage in their engagement with business.

It encourages companies to develop a relationship with members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Sovini recently received national recognition from some of the highest ranking military personnel in the country for their collaborative approach to supporting local veterans.

The Group has been shortlisted in the ‘Working Together’ category in the Soldiering On Awards.

The final takes place on 22nd April at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster.

Peter Collins, now Customer Service Advisor at Sovini Trade Supplies, left the Royal logistics Core in 2000 after 22 years of service.

After being made redundant from his job as a school bursar he experienced many of the typical difficulties faced by veterans trying to re-integrate into civilian life.

He said: “Just last year I was in a very sad place. Having a job is what keeps me and most ex-servicemen going, giving us routine helping us to reintegrate back into ’the real world’.

“I’m extremely grateful to both the Sefton Veterans Project and Sovini, I’m really enjoying working here.“

Roy Williams, Sovini Group CEO, commented:“It’s an honour to be the first housing Group in the North West to achieve the Bronze Corporate Covenant.

“Through our work with the Sefton Veterans and 156 RLC Army Reserve Regiment in Bootle, we see firsthand the sacrifice service personnel make.

“By adopting the Covenant we can help to make sure the people who make huge sacrifices on our behalf receive the recognition and support they deserve in the workplace and the wider community.“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lauren Riley .