JLR marks 10 years of the Armed Forces Covenant, hiring over 1,500 ex-forces personnel globally, reinforcing its commitment to supporting veterans and service leavers.

JLR Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Armed Forces Covenant with Over 1,500 Veterans Hired

JLR marks 10 years of the Armed Forces Covenant, hiring over 1,500 ex-forces personnel globally, reinforcing its commitment to supporting veterans and service leavers.

Gaydon, UK, 2024: JLR, the UK’s largest luxury car maker, is proud to mark the 10th anniversary of signing the Armed Forces Covenant. Over the past decade, JLR has hired more than 1,500 former armed forces personnel globally, reaffirming its commitment to supporting veterans and service leavers.

Achievements in Veteran Employment

Since 2014, JLR has employed an average of 150 veterans each year. Last year alone, the company engaged with over 500 service leavers and hired more than 180 former service personnel. This effort is part of JLR’s dedicated armed forces employment support program, which helps veterans transition smoothly into civilian roles by maximizing their transferrable skills.

Comprehensive Support for Service Leavers

JLR employs a dedicated Armed Forces Engagement Manager and runs an Armed Forces Community support network. The company provides CV and interview advice, offers site visits for prospective employees, and supports veterans through various initiatives. JLR’s support extends to sharing best practices through the SMMT’s Mission Automotive Armed Forces Engagement initiative.

Stephen Lees, JLR Armed Forces Engagement Programme Manager, highlighted the exceptional qualities veterans bring to the company: “As well as technical skills many service leavers and veterans have, we also recognize the exceptional project management, leadership, and organizational qualities and unique experience military candidates bring. JLR provides a sense of belonging that individuals have held so dear throughout their military service in shared common values and ethos through JLR’s company purpose.”

Success Stories and Roles at JLR

JLR has successfully integrated veterans with diverse military backgrounds into various roles, including:

Royal Tank Regiment Captain: JLR Virtual Vehicle Coordinator
Major Royal Logistics Corps: JLR Leadership Development Manager
RAF Supply Specialist: JLR Operational Risk Manager
Infantry NCO (Rifles): JLR Senior Customer Success Lead
Royal Navy Weapons Engineer Officer: JLR Platform Lead Engineer

Veteran Spotlight: Peter Whittenbury

Peter Whittenbury, a Lead Engineer and British Army Veteran, exemplifies the success of JLR’s veteran employment program. With a family history in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), Peter served as a regular soldier until 2012 and continues as an Army reservist. Now, he plays a key role in JLR’s electric future, contributing to the testing of powertrains and the new Range Rover Electric.

“It was through one of the many careers events that JLR attends that I managed to get my role within the company and I’ve never looked back,” Peter said. “JLR has embraced my military background and with policies in place to support my time serving, I’ve found that I’ve got the best of both worlds with the added understanding from my employer.”

Commitment to the Armed Forces

JLR’s commitment is reflected in several key initiatives:

Signed the Corporate Covenant in 2014 and re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021.
Held the Gold Award on the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) since 2015.
Active Reserve Forces policy granting Reservist employees an additional 10 days’ paid leave.
Launched the Armed Forces Community Network (AFCN) in 2019 to provide vocational advice and support for service leavers, veterans, and military spouses/partners.
Active member of the SMMT’s Mission Automotive initiative since 2019.
Supported the 80th anniversary of D-Day by chauffeuring veterans with staff volunteers from the AFCN.

About JLR

JLR’s Reimagine strategy is focused on delivering a sustainability-rich vision of modern luxury by design. The company aims to become carbon net zero across its supply chain, products, and operations by 2039. By 2030, JLR plans to reduce emissions across its operations and value chains through approved, science-based targets. Electrification is central to this strategy, with all new Range Rover, Discovery, and Defender collections featuring pure electric models by the end of the decade, while Jaguar will be entirely electric.

With its British roots, JLR operates two design and engineering sites, three vehicle manufacturing facilities, an engine manufacturing centre, and a battery assembly centre in the UK. The company also has vehicle plants in China, Brazil, India, Austria, and Slovakia, and seven technology hubs globally.

For more information, visit JLR’s media center.

Media Enquiries:

JLR Media: jlrmedia@jaguarlandrover.com | +44 (0) 2475 361000
David Wrottesley: Global External Corporate Communications Manager | dwrottes@jaguarlandrover.com | +44 (0) 7846 091 167

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