Campbell Gibson
Senior Advisor, External Relations, London +44 7825 074315
London (UK): AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company with offices around the world, has renewed its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, further solidifying its position as an employer of choice for veterans in the UK.
The Armed Forces Covenant - a public promise by signatory organisations to demonstrate support for the Armed Forces Community, including veterans, spouses, cadet force adult volunteers, and reservists - has been a cornerstone of AtkinsRéalis' equality, diversity and inclusion efforts to support the military community. AtkinsRéalis originally signed the Covenant in 2015, employing hundreds of veterans, reservists and volunteers since then, and has now renewed its commitments for the future. The company currently employs over 200 members of the Armed Forces Community across the UK and, as a strategic supplier to the UK defence market, has a long history of supporting the armed forces alongside its commitment to veterans.
Richard Robinson, AtkinsRéalis UK & Ireland President, said: “Renewing our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant is more than a pledge - we're investing in exceptional talent. The skills and experiences that members of the Armed Forces Community bring to our organisation are invaluable. Their leadership, problem-solving abilities, and resilience significantly enhance our capabilities and culture. This renewal reflects our unwavering support for the Armed Forces Community and our recognition of the immense value they bring to the civilian workforce.”
Vice Admiral Sir Chris Gardner KBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Submarine Delivery Agency, welcomed AtkinsRéalis' renewed commitment: “The support of employers like AtkinsRéalis is crucial to the Defence People objectives. By publicly pledging their support, AtkinsRéalis not only demonstrates that the Armed Forces Community is valued by society but also sets an example for other organisations to follow. The skills and training that military personnel bring to private employers are exceptional – from nationally recognised qualifications to invaluable soft skills honed in challenging environments. It's heartening to see AtkinsRéalis recognise and nurture this talent pool.”
As a strategic supplier to the UK defence market, AtkinsRéalis has worked with defence organisations for decades to support the delivery of major programmes across land, maritime, air and joint environments, providing expertise in engineering, infrastructure, advanced digital technologies and major programme delivery. Through its role as one of three Engineering Delivery Partnership for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) function, AtkinsRéalis is also working across a range of projects including cyber security, environmental and safety, training and systems engineering.
As part of the renewal, AtkinsRéalis has introduced new pledges including:
- Increased engagement, mentoring, and feedback for Armed Forces Community candidates seeking to join the company.
- Enhanced encouragement for employees to join the reserves, strengthening the connection between civilian and military sectors.
- Amplified efforts to engage with cadet forces across the UK, focusing on increasing social value and STEM impact.
The renewed Covenant builds on several key existing commitments from AtkinsRéalis, including:
- Continuing its Partnering with the Armed Forces (PwAF) programme to coordinate company-wide UK Armed Forces engagement and advocacy activities, representing a commitment at the highest levels of the company.
- Guaranteeing that every Armed Forces Community candidate who applies for a role will have access to advice and mentoring before any interviews upon request.
- Supporting the employment of veterans by recognising military skills and qualifications in the recruitment and selection process.
- Maintaining the Gold Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which the company has held since 2015.
AtkinsRéalis has strong track record of supporting the Armed Forces Community, having established its PwAF programme in 2015 and signing the Women in Defence charter in 2019 and the Fighting with Pride’s ‘Pride in Veterans' Standard (PiVS)’ in 2024. The firm was recently ranked 11th in the prestigious Top 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans benchmark.
AtkinsRéalis continues to offer tailored benefits for veterans and reservists, including encouraging Service leavers to use their enhanced learning credits for resettlement after joining. The company actively engages with military resettlement organisations and conducts events to support veterans transitioning to civilian careers.
Above: Richard Robinson (left) and Sir Chris Gardner KBE
About AtkinsRéalis
Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear and Capital. News and information are available at www.atkinsrealis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About the Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.
Its two principles are that, recognising the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the Armed Forces:
- Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.
- Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
Businesses and charitable organisations who wish to demonstrate their support for the armed forces community can sign the covenant. There are more than 12,000 signatories to date. In doing so they make a range of written and publicised promises to set out their support.
More information: Armed Forces Covenant
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