January 7, 2016
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Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) has demonstrated its support for Britain’s Armed Forces Community by signing the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant.
The signing – organised by HRFCA – took place at Inverness Airport, with HIAL’s Chair Grenville Johnston having the honour of putting pen to paper on the voluntary pledge.
Also present was HIAL’s Director of Operations Mark Stuart, HRFCA Director Engagement Dai John, HRFCA Assistant Chief Executive Terry Cowan and HRFCA Regional Employer Engagement Director Ron Macgregor.
As well as setting out commitments by the signatory, the Covenant states the two fundamental principles: that no member of the Armed Forces community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen; and that in some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate, especially for the injured or bereaved.
Mr Johnston said: “We are proud to become the first airport operator in Scotland to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
“A number of employees at HIAL are Reservists in the Armed Forces. We know the pressure this places on them and their families and by signing the Covenant, we make a pledge to them, and to the others in our Armed Forces, to honour their service and to treat them with respect.”
He added: “I’ll be interested to know about the things HIAL and HRFCA can do together in the future. Many thanks to HRFCA for presenting us with the Armed Forces Covenant.”
HRFCA’s Dai John said: “In return for their commitment, organisations such as HIAL can benefit significantly from membership of the Covenant scheme as it offers an opportunity to build a reputation for being forces-friendly at a time when public support for the Armed Forces is unprecedented.
“HIAL is the twentieth organisation in the HRFCA area of responsibility to have signed the Covenant, with more anticipated to follow suit. We are delighted to be working with such a forward-leaning champion of the Armed Forces community and look forward to continuing our ever-closer relationship.”
For more information on the Armed Forces Covenant contact Ron Macgregor on 01382 631026.
