News

January 21st 2022

TMS employ a large number of Veterans with the specific knowledge and skills needed to produce their highly technical manuals. But by signing the Armed Forces Covenant and submitting for the ERS Award, they had to go one step beyond to demonstrate their support for the broader Armed Forces community.

TMS began in 1991 when the publications division of a local company was disbanded and one of the workers recognised the opportunity, and began producing them from his kitchen table.  30 years later, Theresa Cannon, the daughter of that determined entrepreneur, is now Commercial Director of the business which employs 28 people and has a growing order book.

TMS’s primary focus is on writing technical publications for military equipment – essentially, detailed engineering manuals. Sometimes it requires them to literally take apart the equipment, screw by screw, and put it back together, recording every minute detail according to the different standards demanded by whichever Service they are working with.

In addition, TMS have diversified into training, software provision, and providing support with planning and preparation to their customers with Integrated Logistics Support (ILS).

“We were very proud to achieve the Gold Award, and to have that public recognition of what we do to support our people and the local community.”

Many employees at TMS have found their second career there, joining straight from the forces, with many having been there 20-30 years.  Such loyalty speaks volumes about the way staff are treated. It also aligns with their approach to new business development, as Theresa explained: “The most important thing is developing the relationship with those companies, the sales will come after, but you need that understanding of the customer first, what they need and how we can fulfil that.”

As much of their work is for the Ministry of Defence (MOD), TMS signed the Armed Forces Covenant fairly early on. It was only in recent years they decided to go for the Employer Recognition Scheme Award.  When they looked at the criteria for Silver, they realised there were already doing a lot of what was required, and that came fairly easily.

To apply for Gold, TMS adjusted some of their HR policies, including additional leave for Veterans, Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.  With everything in place, they seemed in a good position to receive Gold, but did not achieve it on the first attempt.  “That’s where the Employer Engagement team at RFCA can really help, in highlighting the best ways to demonstrate your support of the Armed Forces,” said Theresa.  It also meant they were all the more happy to achieve Gold last year. “We were very proud to achieve the Gold Award, and to have that public recognition of what we do to support our people and the local community.”

Going for Gold: TMS were awarded a Gold ERS Award in 2021

Mal Emsden, Senior Project Manager, a 30 year Veteran with the RAF, joined TMS after a work experience position turned into a job offer.  In his ‘spare time’, Mal is a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer and Adjutant with 17 Squadron (Coningsby) RAF Air Cadets. His main responsibilities are Health and Safety, administrating all paperwork, and providing support to the Officer Commanding. The Squadron currently has 43 Cadets, and Mal hopes they will soon be able to get back to planning trips in the UK and abroad.  Mal is also Vice-Chairman Coningsby & Tattershall Royal British Legion. TMS support Mal with time off whenever needed, to ensure he is able to honour his volunteer commitments.

Paul Parr, Project Manager at TMS is another Veteran. Paul served 24 years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in the British Army.  Paul has worked at TMS since 2010, and his work on writing publications currently includes a manual for new Fire Tenders recently purchased by the RAF.  Paul is a member of Royal British Legion, Gainsborough, and was recently appointed Standard Bearer.  Paul also helps run a Breakfast club for Veterans in Gainsborough, who meet twice a month, providing an opportunity for older Veterans who may feel isolated, to stay in touch.

“That’s where the Employer Engagement team at RFCA can really help, in highlighting the best ways to demonstrate your support of the Armed Forces.”

And last but not least, we spoke to Stephen Carter, Publications Programme Manager at TMS. Stephen has experience across the Armed Forces, having been in the Army as a vehicle mechanic with REME for 24 years, and then becoming a Reservist for 8 years.  During his time as a Reserve with 168 Pioneer Regiment, Grantham, he was deployed for 6 months to Iraq. TMS were fully supportive of his time away, even checking in with his family in his absence.  Stephen is also Treasurer of Royal British Legion in Barrowby, and again, is allowed time off to fulfil this important role which supports the wider Armed Forces community.

TMS have gone above and beyond in their commitment to their employees and already have plans underway to raise money for their nominated charity ‘Scotty’s Little Soldiers’ and various events that will ensure they continue to attract skilled Veterans and Reservists.

TMS’ future business development plans specifically include advocating for the Armed Forces Covenant – they actively ask the question of all their suppliers and contacts – “Have you signed the Armed Forces Covenant?” and feature their Gold Award on their emails, website and sales materials.  Nick Johnson, Business Development Manager and himself a Veteran of 24 years in the Army says they plan to work more closely with the Careers Transition Partnership (CTP) on recruitment, and will continue to offer work experience placements.  They are already determined to retain their Gold Award when the re-validation comes round in a few years time!

Want to hear from other Gold Award winners? Watch this video from our event, held at the beautiful Royal Armouries in Leeds.