For Eagle Eye Innovations (EEI), a Lincolnshire-based drone company, supporting Defence personnel and advocating for their unique skills is part of their DNA.
Founded in 2013 by Siôn Roberts, a former Royal Air Force (RAF) Aircraft Weapons System Operator, EEI has grown significantly over the past decade and is now one of the longest-running drone training and consultancy organisations in the United Kingdom.
With over 120 years’ combined Military experience in its ranks, and nearly 10% of its workforce composed of Reservists, the company received its Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award in 2021 – the highest honour for Forces-friendly employers – for its enduring commitment to supporting serving Reservists and Veterans among its staff.
Today, Eagle Eye proudly displays their Gold Award as a “badge of honour”, says Alex Monro, the Head of Training Services at EEI.
He added: “We’re proud to be a Gold ERS Award holder, especially as a number of my team are Reservists.
“We’re absolutely aligned in supporting them to get what they want out of their service, and we’re proud to do so.
“If they need to deploy, we can work with that. We will sit them down, talk about the impact it will have on the business, and find a solution to allow them to go because we understand the importance it has for them as individuals and for supporting our Armed Forces.”
Alex served 20 years in the RAF as a Navigator on fast jets before transitioning to uncrewed aircraft. He concluded his Military career at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, and left the service in 2022.
In that same year, Alex transitioned to a civilian role with EEI, which he described as a “nice soft landing.”
He continued: “I find Military people leaving service are massively underselling what they can offer. But we recognise what they can offer at Eagle Eye.
“We’re a company built on Defence-minded people, and we understand those benefits and rely on them in a way.
“We know they’re going to come in with a proactive, positive attitude and know how to problem solve, and we embrace that.
“Having an employer that understands the stresses you’ve been under in the Military is very important. We want to work with our serving Reservists and Veterans and put them first.”
Supporting Reservists
As a remotely piloted air system company, EEI provides training, operational, and technical services that cover every aspect of drone flying, from basic training through to Military-grade tactical training.
To offer a diverse range of training services, EEI has recruited experienced personnel. Among them is Flight Sergeant Stuart Clayton, who serves as the Head of Air Crew Training at EEI and is also a RAF Reservist with 616 Squadron at RAF Waddington.
After spending 24 years as a regular in the RAF, Stuart transitioned almost immediately into the Reserves in 2022.
Around the same time, he joined EEI, where he has managed to balance his Reserve service with full-time civilian work.
He explained: “As an active Reservist, Eagle Eye are a very good employer to work for. We get 10 days of additional paid leave as a Gold holder of the ERS, and if you need more days off than that, they’ll approve additional time off.
“Going forward, I’m hoping to take a day off a month to focus on my Reserve work, and the company is endorsing it.
“I’m glad I work for Eagle Eye because I don’t know many other employers that would allow me to continue being a Reservist, whilst actively giving me the support to do so.
“So, I’m really glad I chose to work at Eagle Eye after I left the Military.”
The path to Gold
To achieve the Gold ERS Award, employers must first sign the Armed Forces Covenant and then complete the Bronze and Silver Awards, each of which requires an increased commitment to support Defence.
The process encourages organisations to consider, challenge and adapt HR policies and practices that help you to gain, retain and maximise the skills of Defence people.
For EEI, it’s about more than just their Defence people; it’s about a wider Armed Forces network.
Often referred to as RAF Lincolnshire due to the numerous RAF bases there, EEI is well-positioned to reach out and engage not only RAF personnel but also members of the broader Armed Forces community.
One key individual in this initiative is Ross Tarnowski, the Commercial Lead for Training Services. Ross is a former RAF Engineer who served for 22 years before transitioning to civilian life 8 years ago.
He said: “It’s really good to work in a space with so many other ex-service personnel. Even though we’re in the civilian sector and things are distinctly different from the Military way of life, certain things carry over, such as being used to working in different teams and understanding what each other wants to achieve.
“I think it’s really important to engage with the Employer Recognition Scheme, but likewise, it adds significant value to that business.
“The types of ex-service and Reservist personnel that could work for you can bring so much professionalism into an organisation, so I would encourage any business that’s thinking of taking part in the ERS to do so and support the Armed Forces network.
“Lincolnshire is a hub for Veterans and people in the Armed Forces, so to promote being part of the Employer Recognition Scheme in our area and promoting that helps these types of people gravitate towards your organisation, and understand that you’re a good company to work for.”
Read more about the Employer Recognition Scheme and why your company should get involved
