M&S is raising awareness of the 'incredible' roles it offers those who have left the forces and are looking to transition into civilian life, just days after the nation marked Armed Forces Day this month.
M&S Gosforth Store Manager, Ryan McNally, 46, transitioned from the Forces to a civilian job thanks to the support of M&S. Ryan had always wanted to join the Forces, following in his grandfather’s footsteps.
When he turned 16 he left his home in the North East, to join the Junior Leaders regiment in Dorset. Following his training, he joined the Royal Logistics Corps where he served for six years all over the UK.
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Once he left the Armed Forces and transitioned to civilian life he got offered a 12-hour contract from M&S and he’s now been with the business for 25 years working his way up through the ranks all the way to store manager. He loves working for M&S and all the work the business does to support veterans.
He is also part of the Veteran’s Network. Ryan said: “Transitioning from military life to civilian life will always be a challenge. I was fortunate to have a strong family to support me and that family grew as I joined M&S - I can truly call out a number of colleagues who have helped and supported me throughout my career.”
Last week M&S re-signed its covenant to pledge its commitment to helping veterans to work and was awarded silver status for all its efforts. M&S has reinforced its commitment to:
offer specialist support, including ten days extra, leave for reservists to attend training
provide tailored, confidential guidance about well-being, including mental, physical, emotional, and financial health
turbo-charge its recruitment of all members of the Forces community by signing up to the Careers Transition Partnership and Forces Family Jobs
Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Leo Docherty said: “Through their commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, companies like M&S are offering meaningful employment options and support for those transitioning from military to civilian life and ensuring a positive contribution from them to the business community.
“It was extremely important to me that we brought the social element back. It can be really difficult leaving the military as you lose the friends and family that you have made and this can become very lonely and isolating, I wanted to make sure that here at M&S we help put a stop to that.
“I am delighted to see M&S today reaffirm their commitment to this pledge supporting our personnel and contributing to our defense capability.”
Paul Burns, Head of Operations Clothing and Home Logistics at M&S and its Veteran’s Network Sponsor commented: “We see first-hand the benefits and skillsets that employing ex-service personnel can bring to a business day in, day out. Veterans play a vital part in sharing knowledge and experience across the M&S family, and we will continue to champion their positive role in the business.”
M&S is building on its long history of supporting the Armed Forces, dating back to WWII when colleagues knitted hundreds of garments for evacuees and the armed forces. The business has been working with the Royal British Legion (RBL) - the country’s largest Armed Forces charity that provides lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families - since 2009 and has helped raise £9.3million to date.
RBL is one of the M&S Sparks Card chosen charities, where M&S donate 1p to charity every time customers shop using their loyalty card.
Heather Perkins, Chair of the Veterans Network, commented: “When I took on the position as the Chair of the Veterans Network in 2020, I wanted to make sure there was enough support at M&S available to help those who left the Forces transition into civilian jobs.
“A challenge I faced when I left my position was losing my military ‘family’. I felt very isolated and wanted to ensure no one else felt this way. I am very proud of all the work that M&S has done and it’s great to see the business updating and re-signing its covenant ahead of Armed Forces Day.”
To find out more about working for M&S, and the roles and training available, including their commitment to being a Forces-friendly employer, visit https://jobs.marksandspencer.com/
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