Travis Perkins has re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant to support armed forces personnel, and honoured 89 former colleagues who served in World War II.

The Group, which employs around 20,000 people UK-wide, including over 1,000 in the Northampton area, where it is headquartered, has a long history of supporting armed forces personnel with training and employment opportunities when they transition to civilian life.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a government initiative that aims to acknowledge and understand 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.

The company first signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant in 2017, and marked its latest re-signing of its with a memorial service and the unveiling of a plaque that honours the former members of staff who were conscripted in World War II.

Major General Tim Hyams CB OBE, and Andrew Lewer MBE, MP for Northampton South, joined guests from the Ministry of Defense, the Royal British Legion, the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), The Soldiers Charity, and cadets from the Navy, Army and Air Force for the service and two minutes of silence.

The ceremony was hosted by Nick Roberts, CEO of Travis Perkins, who said: “As a business at the heart of our communities, we have employed hundreds of service leavers and recognise the great value they bring to our business.

“This re-signing of the covenant is an affirmation of our commitment to ensuring the Group continues to be an armed forces-friendly organisation which celebrates our ex-forces, reservist and cadet forces colleagues, and supports them with training and great career opportunities.

“Today’s unveiling of the memorial plaque of those nearly 100 colleagues who fought for our country in World War II was also a great reminder of our proud heritage, and a great opportunity for us who work here today to acknowledge their sacrifice and be thankful for their bravery.”

The ceremony was also attended by many of the Group’s employees and members of the Armed Forces Community. Travis Perkins currently employes over 60 reservists or former service personels, who meet regularly to support each other and work collaboratively to improve awareness internally and externally of the talent and value veterans can bring to the Group’s businesses.