News

May 28th 2025

Covenant community: Amanet’s mission to build a Forces-friendly network in Rutland

Amanet

When it comes to backing our Armed Forces, there are few things that Oakham-based IT experts Amanet would not consider doing.

Led by former Royal Air Force Engineer Andreas Menzies, the Forces-friendly firm packs a punch with the amount of time and resource it commits to supporting current and former military personnel.

The business, an international IT consultancy and IT services provider, has sponsored 2248 (Rutland) Squadron Air Cadets, provides a regular meeting space for the RAF Association, and supports both Veterans Breakfast Clubs and Veterans at nearby Stocken Prison.

Amanet encourages staff to take time out from work to join commemorative events, such as events to mark Armed Forces Day or in recent weeks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and the IT firm even finds time to reach out to local companies to encourage them to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

Amanet has held the Silver Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme since 2023 and has set its sights on achieving the Gold Award – the Ministry of Defence’s highest accolade for Forces-friendly organisations.

Andreas, the Managing Director, said: “It’s very difficult not to separate myself from my Forces background. I’ve always looked out for ex-Forces, particularly ex-Royal Air Force.

“In the early years, IT wasn’t such a big thing in the Forces. Now, of course, that has changed, so there are more of those skills out there.

“We actively seek to recruit individuals who are Armed Forces Leavers, Veterans or Reservists. It’s nice to poach them, but I would rather they stayed in the Forces where we need them at the moment especially.”

Amanet received their Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award in 2023.

Amanet received their Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award in 2023.

Sought-after skills

Over the years, Amanet has employed a number of Veterans and actively seeks to recruit more when vacancies arise. Andreas said this was due to their sought-after hard and soft skills developed from service.

Being located in Rutland helps. The county, home to St George’s and Kendrew Barracks, has a long and proud military history. According to Government sources, it is estimated that approximately 20% of Rutland’s population are either currently Serving, Reservists, Veterans, Ministry of Defence employees or family members of any of those groups.

To encourage them to apply, Amanet advertises all of its vacancies on sites such as British Forces Resettlement Services and Forces Family Jobs, often exclusively for a period of time. Any candidate with a Forces background who meets the minimum criteria will be given an interview too.

And once they’re through the door, there are a raft of policies that provide Reserves and Cadet Volunteers with additional flexibility and annual leave to cover time off for camps and training events and deployments.

2023 Silver Awards

2023 Silver Awards

Covenant community

 To increase the size and scope of Amanet’s impact on the Armed Forces community, Andreas has embarked on a mission to build a network of like-minded Forces-friendly businesses in Rutland.

And the glue that binds them all together? The same commitment to ensure no Armed Forces personnel are disadvantaged by their service as pledged through the Armed Forces Covenant.

Andreas, who served in the RAF during the 1980s, said: “I want to try and create a community if I can, all of people I know or who I do business with.

“If they all sign the Armed Forces Covenant, it’s something we’ve all got in common which would be a brilliant thing.

“From that comes sponsorship for things. For example, if you have 50 people contributing £50 each we can raise money to host events or organise Armed Forces Covenant stalls at all local military activities in town.

“And if you can’t create a community like that in Rutland, you can’t do it anywhere.”

So far, Amanet has encouraged firms such as BEFit Gym, Boss Stone, Home Straight and Pepper’s – A Safe Place. These companies either already actively supported our Armed Forces or want to do more.

“I tell them it’s about having pride in your own country and our Armed Forces but also in return you get access to skilled employees and free training opportunities.”

Andreas added: “If you’re based in Rutland and are interested in joining the scheme, please talk to me.”

Find out how your company can sign the Armed Forces Covenant in a few simple steps