Employers engaged at Inverness event

Highland RFCA held an employer networking and information evening at Inverness Town House on 5 December.

Regional Employer Engagement Directors Ray Watt and Roy McLellan organised the event in order to give employers in the area a greater understanding of the benefits of partnering with Defence.

Guests were welcomed to the Town House by the Depute Provost of Inverness, Councillor Morven Reid. She is The Highland Council’s Armed Forces and Veterans Representative.

Ray provided the audience with some background on Highland RFCA and its roles and responsibilities before delivering a presentation on the benefits to business of both the Armed Forces Covenant and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

Ray was followed on stage by Steve Walsh, representing Armed Forces Covenant signatory and ERS Gold Award holder High Life Highland. Steve is an Armed Forces Veteran and was able to provide a perspective on Veteran employment.

Steve Walsh.

Rounding off the speakers was Lieutenant Colonel David Robertson, the Commanding Officer of 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Lieutenant Colonel Robertson spoke on Reserve service in the context of its relationship to employers.

: Captain Pete Marshall.

: Second Lieutenant Will Hall.

The audience had earlier heard from two of Lieutenant Colonel Robertson’s Reservists – Captain Pete Marshall and Second Lieutenant Will Hall.

A Q&A session followed before Lieutenant Colonel Robertson presented two employer organisations with Armed Forces Covenant and ERS Bronze Award certificates. The recipients were Cromarty Firth Marine Services and Future Group (Highland).

Lt Col Robertson shakes hands with Future Group Director Fraser MacKenzie, presenting him with Armed Forces Covenant and ERS Bronze Award certificates.

Lieutenant Colonel Robertson congratulates Future Group Director Fraser MacKenzie.

Future Group Director Fraser MacKenzie said: “The Future Group has a very proud history of supporting the Armed Forces with 30% of staff across all departments having served in the Royal Navy, Army, or Royal Air Force. We are very pleased to receive our Bronze Award and are committed to supporting Veterans throughout their future careers with the Future Group as well as their Reserve commitments.

“We would encourage any business to take some time to look into the benefits of the Armed Forces Covenant and how this collaboration can be successful.”

Cromarty Firth Marine Services Directors Mari McPhee and Eddie Davies display their certificates alongside Lt Col Robertson.

Cromarty Firth Marine Services Directors Mhari Macphee and Eddie Davies with Lieutenant Colonel Robertson.

Cromarty Firth Marine Services Director Mhari Macphee said: “We have several ex-military personnel working for us and value their skillset within our organisation. We also recognise the importance of engaging with Reservists and how to help them become part of our plans for future projects.”

She added: “We look forward to developing our relationship with Highland RFCA.”

The evening was rounded off with a buffet and an opportunity for networking.

The event – supported by Inverness Chamber of Commerce, The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise – ran from 6 to 8pm and was attended by around 35 guests.

It will be followed by similar events in 2025, spanning the whole of HRFCA’s Area of Responsibility that stretches from Clydebank in the south all the way to Shetland.