Firm recognised for its work with veterans

Helen Barge employs veterans Alex Murphy, John Bassett and Phil Davies at her risk management company

A Warwick company has been recognised for helping veterans to find jobs.

Cyber security and risk management firm Risk Evolves has received the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award.

Owner Helen Barge was prompted to help when her own brother left the forces.

"He was very clear he was leaving his job, his home, his family and his complete way of life, and I could see it was very daunting," she said.

The company employs a number of ex-service personnel, and has helped others with placements and contacts.

'Do they care about squaddies?'

Alex Murphy, who was medically discharged after 12 years in the Army Intelligence Corps, said: "I didn't choose to leave, so I had no idea what to do."

Fellow Intelligence Corps veteran John Bassett knew he wanted to work in the information security and risk management sector, "but it was just finding the right place to work".

Phil Davies, who spent 24 years in the Royal Logistic Corps, added that firms signing up to the covenant was a big help.

"Do they care about squaddies? Do they employ or even give us a chance? The badge says 'yes' straight away," he said.

All three now work for Risk Evolves, after Ms Barge made a conscious effort to do more for people transitioning to civilian life.

'Above and beyond'

"I can't hire all of them, but what I can do is offer help and support, offer leads, show them other companies that might be recruiting," she told BBC CWR.

Chloe Mackay from the Forces Employment Charity underlined the importance of employers helping service personnel into new jobs, saying: "We found that in the West Midlands, 36% of veterans found the move into the civilian workplace was harder than they expected."

The Armed Forces Covenant states the silver award is given to employers who have provided "exceptional support to the Armed Forces community by going above and beyond their Covenant pledges".