‘Forces-friendly’ employer: Steve Whitmarsh on how businesses can build stronger links with defence

Steve Whitmarsh (pictured), CEO of Multifleet Vehicle Management Ltd (trading as runyourfleet), employs many people with links to the Armed Forces.

As a member of the Forces Engagement Board, he plays an active role in ensuring service personnel are well represented within the business community.

In this interview, Steve discusses the importance of hiring from the Armed Forces community — and shares his expert insights on how businesses can build stronger, more effective links with defence.

Can you tell us about your role and how you're involved in Armed Forces engagement across the West Midlands?

We are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and we support business networking events through attendance and promotion.

A number of our employees are linked to the armed services – mainly as children or partners of veterans and some of our team have children in the Cadet Corps.

What is the Forces Engagement Board, and why is it important for our region?

The Forces Engagement Board supports the armed services community – ensuring that members of the armed services community are not disadvantaged through their service or the service of their family members.

Ensuring equal access to employment and services, the board implements the armed service covenant, raises awareness and builds relationships with businesses and the wider community.

It’s role in ensuring that the armed services community is well represented in our business community is incredibly important – both for the community it represents and for the business community it is engaging with.

In your view, what are the biggest misconceptions businesses have about hiring or supporting service personnel?

In my view, the biggest misconceptions are:

• The families will need to be mobile and move with the posting of their family members
• The skills gained under service aren’t transferrable

But the reality is very, very different.

Are there particular industries or types of businesses in the West Midlands that are leading the way in this space?

The West Midlands is known for manufacturing, and as such, it is no surprise that manufacturing seems to attract ex service personnel who are well placed to use their analytical skills to solve problems and drive efficiencies.

What does the Armed Forces Covenant offer employers, and why should more SMEs sign up?

Signing the Armed Forces Covenant offers several benefits to employers, primarily enhancing their reputation as a "Forces-friendly" employer and providing access to a pool of talented individuals with valuable skills and experience. 

It also demonstrates a commitment to fairness and equality for members of the Armed Forces community.

Looking ahead, what are the biggest opportunities or priorities for building better links between defence and business?

Personally, I believe businesses should do more to improve relations, and signing the Armed Services Covenant is a great place to start.

In response, the MOD should make supply opportunities more accessible for SME businesses – too often they are the preserve of the typically large “super outsourcers” with no access for smaller businesses.

What would you like people — especially business leaders — to reflect on during Armed Forces Week?

The sacrifice made by service personnel and their families and how, working together with the community, businesses can access the rich pool of skills and talent available to them.

With Birmingham set to host the Invictus Games in 2027, what do you think the impact of the event could be — for the city, for veterans, and for the wider business community?

Hosting the Invictus Games is a fantastic opportunity for Birmingham to demonstrate its strengths as a community focussed city with diversity in culture, community and skills at its heart.

Its aim should be to attract veterans and their families to the region, in turn benefiting business by giving access to a wider talent pool.