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Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Major General Stuart Skeates CBE, hosted a Business Networking Lunch on 7th February 2014 for local and regional employers. Its aim was two-fold; firstly to explain how the Army is to restructure itself and secondly, to showcase the opportunities benefitting employers from the availability of a group of highly skilled, motivated Service leavers as well as additional funding for an enhanced programme of accredited training for the growing pool of Reservists who play a key part in Army restructuring.

There were three presentations; "Your Army" given by the Army Engagement Team on behalf of the head of the Army, General Sir Peter Wall; followed by an insight into the role of the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). The CTP assist leavers of the Armed Forces into work and offer a no cost recruitment solution for companies seeking to employ Service leavers, after which there was time for questions in an open forum. An employer's perspective was provided by Fujitsu UK on the benefits of employing service personnel.

After the sequence of presentations, a buffet lunch was served and there was a chance for the invited guests to meet members of the Regular and Reserve Army, SaBRE (Support for Britain's Reservists and Employers) and CTP representatives.

Cllr John Kingsbury, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: "It was an excellent event giving an insight to the benefits of employing service personnel and reservists. As signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, Woking Borough Council works in partnership with the military to support their personnel through projects such as providing assistance to those wishing to set up their own business or proactively promoting job opportunities within local businesses to service personnel. In addition to employment services, the Council is also working with Army Training Centre, Pirbright in partnership with Guildford Borough Council to create Beachgrove Recreation Ground, a community project that will assist with military family integration."

Our grateful appreciation goes to the support provided by Bracknell Forest Borough Council and Surrey Heath Council, along with Wokingham, Guildford, Woking, Reading and Maidenhead Councils who identified local businesses which will result in some 167 employers attending the Business Lunch.