News

June 12th 2018

Employers attend HRH Birthday Parade

Trooping the Colour

Trooping the Colour at Horseguards’ Parade in London

A group of 24 employers from the East Midlands travelled to London on Saturday (9 June) to attend Her Majesty’s Birthday Parade.

The attendees from organisations based in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire were all selected to attend Trooping the Colour as they have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and act as advocates for Defence in their individual places of work.

The Red Arrows Display Team

The Red Arrows Display Team

Trooping the Colour is an annual event that moves between Buckingham Palace, The Mall and Horseguards’ Parade in London, with Her Majesty being joined by other members of the Royal Family at the event.

The event saw hundreds of soldiers, horses and musicians come together to present a fantastic display of military precision and horsemanship to mark The Queen’s official birthday.

Catherine Suckling, the Ministry of Defence’s Assistant Regional Engagement Director, said: “I was delighted to both invite and accompany a group of employers who all actively support the Armed Forces community to the Queen’s Birthday Parade.

“The event was fantastic, we saw an impressive display of pageantry led by the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade with Her Majesty the Queen taking the salute. Many of the employers commented on the positive atmosphere that filled the air with members of the public lining the streets on The Mall and near St James’ Park cheering and clapping as the parade made its way through the area. Many of the employers also explained that they will not forgot attending this event as it was a rare honour not many people have the opportunity to embrace.”

Feedback from employers who attended the event:

Employers at the RAF Club in London

Employers at the RAF Club in London

Jon Egley, Digital Growth Manager at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestetershire) explained: “I had always wanted to attend this iconic event but had never had the privilege. Having served 26 years in the Reserve Forces I know at first hand the value that the reserves bring to not only the Armed Forces but to employers as well. The event gave me an opportunity to reinforce this message with other business representatives.”

Eddie Mewies, Managing Director of M-EC Consulting Development Engineers in Leicestershire, said: “M-EC has been supporting the Armed Forces for a number of years now and I was delighted to attend The Queen’s Birthday Parade with the RFCA. We actively recruit members of the Reserve Forces and value their contribution to both our work and the defence of the United Kingdom.”

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The Queen during the parade

Steve Robinson, Community Fundraiser at SkillForce in Mansfield, commented: “SkillForce was delighted to attend Trooping the Colour.  As an employer we fully support the Armed Forces Covenant and consider ourselves privileged to be able to work with ex-Service, reserve and cadet personnel to harness the expertise, life experiences and character that their skillset brings to SkillForce. Members of the Armed Forces Community make up the majority of our workforce and their experience brings a unique perspective when delivering SkillForce programmes.”

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was represented by Helen Raisbeck, a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist/EMDR Consultant and Alex Wright, Psychological Therapist at the event. Ifti Majid, Chief Executive of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It was a great honour for Derbyshire Healthcare to be represented through Helen and Alex at such an iconic event – one that is known throughout the world as a mark of celebration not only for the Monarchy but as a showcase for those who serve or have serviced in our Armed Forces. At Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust we recognise the added value that veterans, reservists and Armed Forces families can bring to our workforce in delivering our vision of ‘making a positive difference in people’s lives through improving health and wellbeing’. We are proud to have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and are determined to make a difference.”

“I had always wanted to attend this iconic event but had never had the privilege. Having served 26 years in the Reserve Forces I know at first hand the value that the reserves bring to not only the Armed Forces but to employers as well. The event gave me an opportunity to reinforce this message with other business representatives.”