Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce hosted HRFCA and Armed Forces friendly employers at its annual Christmas lunch.
Over 100 businesses sat down to a festive feast at Boclair House in Bearsden on December 12. The Chamber, which is a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award winner and ChamberFORCE partner, invited members along to celebrate another year of business and to hear from a range of speakers about the benefits of supporting the Armed Forces.
As headline sponsors, HRFCA invited a table of guests including ERS Gold Award winners, the Golden Jubilee Hospital and West Dunbartonshire Council.
After a welcome drink and canapes, HRFCA Regional Employer Engagement Director Jim Dickie spoke about how businesses from different sectors and of different sizes can pledge their support to the Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
HRFCA’s Jim Dickie addresses the audience.
Guests also heard from main speaker, Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, who is one of Scotland’s leading business voices and leaders.
Liz Cameron.
An advocate for HRFCA and the work we do, Liz spoke about the ChamberFORCE initiative and encouraged businesses to get involved with what has now become a national programme; pairing Chambers of Commerce and their members with local Army, Navy and RAF units. The initiative is designed to bring tangible business benefits to Chamber members.
The HRFCA table.
Following a meal, nominated charity Golden Friendships drew raffle prizes. Golden Friendships is a charity that provides a safe place for the more vulnerable in our society. They run clubs for people with special needs and disabilities and focus on social inclusion and confidence building.
Thanks to all those who attended, the charity raised over £1000.
