Photo: MoD

Photo: MoD

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a £50m contract to BAE Systems to support the British Army’s armoured tracked vehicle fleet, safeguarding 100 jobs, Vigilance can report.

The five-year contract covers an array of design services including safety advice and elements of operational effectiveness for light, medium and heavy armoured vehicles.

It also combines a number of existing support contracts into a more efficient and effective contracting agreement saving taxpayers money.

Philip Dunne MP, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support & Technology visited BAE Systems Combat Vehicles facilities at Telford today. He said: "This contract helps ensure that we sustain a battle-winning Armoured Vehicle Fleet, as well as representing an important investment in armoured vehicles capability within the UK defence supply chain that safeguards UK engineering jobs.

Minister Dunne added: “It is also essential that we deliver high-quality equipment and services at the best possible value for the taxpayer and are able to meet any future capability challenges."

Major General Paul Jaques, the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Director Land Equipment, said: “Our vehicle fleet has played a vital role on recent operations and will continue to be a key part of the British Army’s capability for years to come, so agreeing this five year support contract with BAE Systems is great news. This is another example of how the MOD is investing in the Army’s capability and ensuring our soldiers have well supported equipment.”

ERNST AND YOUNG DEMONSTRATE SUPPORT FOR ARMED FORCES

Recently, Ernst and Young (EY) became one of the largest companies to pledge their support for the Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

EY have pledged to:

• Support the employment of veterans and their families;
• Support employees who choose to become members of the Reserve Forces;
• Give special consideration to holiday requests from service spouses and partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment.

EY are the latest of more than three hundred companies to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging a range of support measures for the Armed Forces community.

Minister for Reserves, Julian Brazier MP said: “It is excellent to see one of the UK’s largest professional services firms sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising the tremendous contribution that our Armed Forces and their families make to society, as well as the huge benefits that reservists and former service personnel can bring to the company.

“EY is working hard to ensure that all members of the Armed Forces community are fully supported in the workplace, and I hope many more companies will follow their lead.”

One of EY’s health advisory consultants, Major Henry Dowlen, is currently on deployment as a Royal Marine reservist in Sierra Leone, serving at the National Ebola Response Centre.

Royal Marine Reservist, Major Henry Dowlen said: “The Covenant has enabled me to fulfil both my civilian and military duties, with the full backing of EY. As a reservist I have been able to combine both sets of skills and it has been a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the work of the regular Armed Forces. One Friday I was sat at my desk and, in less than ten days, I was able to deploy to Sierra Leone.”

Bjorn Conway, EY’s Head of Government and Public Sector for UK and Ireland, said: “At EY we are focused on finding top talent, regardless of background, and we recognise that many military personnel have a wealth of skills and leadership qualities that would be invaluable to our businesses. From their problem-solving abilities and resilience under pressure, to their people management and communication skills.

“We see military veterans as a great source of talent and EY are committing to supporting these individuals as they transition into civilian life and are helping them to evolve their skills into relevant roles in the business world.”