SKIPTON Building Society has become the 700th Armed Forces Covenant signatory in Yorkshire and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting current and former members of the armed forces into new careers.

At a signing event at Skipton Castle to coincide with Armed Forces Week, June 19 to 24, colleagues with links to the armed forces were joined by Skipton Group CEO Stuart Haire, Skipton Building Society Chair Gwyn Burr and Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hill.

The Covenant is described as “the nation’s commitment” to those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and focusses on helping those people ensure they have the same access to government and commercial services as any other services – including opportunities to start a new career. An average of 15,000 people leave the armed forces each year.

Mr Haire said: “It’s a proud moment to be recommitting to the Armed Forces Covenant, and even more so to be the organisation that takes the count of Yorkshire signatories to a landmark 700.

“We know all too well what an incredible resource of skill, knowledge, and experience individuals with time in the armed forces can bring to an organisation like Skipton Building Society. We’re lucky to already have many colleagues from the armed forces community, but this is our bugle call; when it comes to a career after or alongside your military service, we want to turn members of the armed forces into members of our workforce.”

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hill, Commanding Officer of 4th Battalion, The Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said: "We are thrilled that Skipton Building Society has become the 700th business to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. This is a real milestone for the Yorkshire and Humber region, and we are delighted that we can mark this occasion with such an iconic Yorkshire employer.

“This is a commitment by Skipton Building Society to invest in the Armed Forces community by treating those who serve, and their families, fairly and respectfully. We are very grateful to all Armed Forces Covenant signatories for their support to our serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and cadet force adult volunteers, and the fact that there are now 700 such businesses makes it clear what a great place Yorkshire and the Humber is to be part of the military family.

“Skipton Building Society is now able to reach the next milestone - achieve award status through the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme, an opportunity we encourage all our signatories to pursue.”